COMMUNITY NEED:

Marion and Polk Counties have one of the largest concentrations of homeless persons in Oregon
 in relation to the total population.

Because many of the state institutions are located in the area, our region has proportionately, more mentally ill homeless
persons than the national average.

Marion County is the fifth largest county in Oregon, but the population in the Marion County Jail is the second largest in the
state.

Currently at the Marion County Jail, 15 to 20% of the inmates are diagnosed with some form of psychiatric disability.

Because many of these individuals leave the jail without a viable release plan and typically have no permanent residence or
treatment service available, they often become re-involved with the criminal justice system due to nuisance crimes such
as trespass, disorderly conduct, theft of food, and other minor (yet costly) crimes.

A study conducted by Marion County Corrections indicated that, on average, each offender in this category has spent four
of  the preceding twelve months in jail.

The homeless population continues to grow within the Marion and Polk counties due to a number of factors, including a lack
of coordinated services, reduction in funding for support services, downsizing of state institutions, and shortage of affordable
housing options.

The aim of ARCHES is to continue to:

Increase communication and collaboration between community partners
Gather data to create a clear picture of homeless individuals in our communities
Fill a significant gap in service delivery

Through the intentional coordination of services provided by ARCHES, fewer individuals will "fall through the cracks" of the community's safety net.

Based on several models, it is also expected that there will be a significant reduction in the use of crisis services,
emergency hospital services, law enforcement intervention, incarceration and recidivism in the criminal justice system.

This will result in significant cost-savings and will create resources that can be redirected to provide permanent solutions
and prevention