In response to the need for additional emergency housing, Portland State University has partnered with First United Methodist Church to open a new student-focused housing space. The PSU Landing at FUMC opened in March and offers 8 spaces for students navigating a housing crisis or experiencing homelessness.
“We’re trying to assemble a continuum of housing support for our students,” said Mike Walsh, Associate Vice Provost & Dean of Student Life.
A 2019 report from the Homelessness Research Action Collaborative found 16.1% of PSU students experienced homelessness at some point during the year and 44.6% of students experienced housing insecurity. Walsh said the Landing won’t solve the problem, but does work toward a solution.
Students staying at the Landing will have access to additional resources through the CARE team, as well as meals, academic support and assistance securing affordable and permanent housing.
“We’re hopefully going to serve people who are in real dire need, who would otherwise leave school,” Walsh said. “For a number of students, this will keep them in school, keep them on track to graduate and they’re going to be set up to have stable housing.”
Students will be connected with the Affordable Rents for College Students program and College Housing Northwest to find affordable housing before they leave the Landing.
Scott Robison, associate director of digital learning and design with the Office of Academic Innovation, who also serves on the PSU Landing board, said students were actively involved in the planning of the Landing and remain involved as the space evolves.
“This was created as much as possible with student input, hearing from both students and community members who are facing housing insecurity, helping bring their voices to the table in planning and the implementation of what this could look like,” Robison said.
Liz Temple, church administrator with First United Methodist Church, said because of this student-led design, the Landing doesn’t fit the idea of what most people think about a shelter.
“The Landing has been created in partnership with PSU students, faculty and staff to create a space and experience that supports the ‘whole’ student,” Temple said. “We are just one piece of a bigger resource package for students. We’ve worked hard to hire and train very talented, skilled and culturally humble staff who can co-create empowering experiences, to support residents who may be feeling overwhelmed in regaining agency in their lives. Our vision is that as more residents move in, the experience will be shaped by their hopes and ideas too.”
Robison said although the space only has room for 8 students at the moment, they fully intend to expand the Landing as COVID restrictions allow. As the Landing begins serving students, Robison and Walsh hope to raise awareness about the program and ongoing need so that PSU can partner with additional organizations and build out resources to help students succeed.
Faculty and staff can refer students — and students can refer themselves — to the Landing by contacting the Dean of Student Life Office or by making a CARE program referral.