VANCOUVER, Wash. — It was 28 degrees before dawn when a small team of outreach workers set out on their mission. Wrapped in layers against the biting cold, they navigated through encampments along I-205, hoping to connect with those living unsheltered. Among them was Charlene Welch, the Chief Advancement Officer for the Council for the Homeless, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing homelessness in Clark County.
For Welch, the work is personal. “We don’t just see numbers; we see people,” she says, standing in a frost-covered lot where tents are clustered together. “Every person we talk to has a story, and our goal is to make sure their next chapter is one of stability and dignity.”
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
The Council for the Homeless is leading a coordinated response to a crisis that many in the community misunderstand. While public perception often suggests an influx of unhoused individuals from neighboring Portland, data tells a different story.
“There’s a myth that people come here from out of state or across the river for services,” Welch explains. “But the reality is, the vast majority of the people experiencing homelessness here had their last permanent address right here in Clark County.”
Many of those they meet in encampments and makeshift shelters once had stable housing, jobs, and community ties. The rapid rise in housing costs, job insecurity, and unexpected crises—like medical bills or the loss of a family member—are the primary drivers of homelessness.
“People don’t become homeless when they run out of money,” Welch says. “They become homeless when they run out of social support.”
Mobilizing Resources for Immediate Relief
To combat this growing crisis, The Council for the Homeless coordinates a severe weather task force, which activates additional emergency shelters when temperatures drop below 36 degrees.
“We partner with faith communities, nonprofits, and city officials to expand shelter capacity overnight,” Welch explains. “It’s about keeping people alive in extreme weather conditions.”
During these cold months, the outreach team works tirelessly to connect people to warm beds, distribute survival supplies, and provide access to resources that could lead to long-term housing solutions.
Beyond Temporary Shelter: A Long-Term Strategy
While emergency assistance is critical, Welch emphasizes the importance of systemic solutions to break the cycle of homelessness.
One of the most essential tools at their disposal is the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a confidential database that helps track those in need, prevent duplicate records, and ensure that every person counted receives follow-up services.
“This isn’t just about gathering statistics for reports,” Welch says. “It’s about ensuring that no one falls through the cracks.”
Beyond immediate aid, the organization works to address housing affordability by advocating for policy changes, increasing access to rental assistance, and developing long-term partnerships with landlords willing to work with housing programs.
For Nathalie Aguilar, an Outreach Supervisor for the Council of the Homeless, the work of addressing homelessness isn’t just about providing shelter—it’s about restoring dignity and creating lasting change. “When we talk about making home possible, it’s about standing alongside people at one of the most critical moments in their lives and ensuring they have a place to call their own,” she says.
Breaking the Cycle Through Community Support
One of the most sobering realities of Welch’s work is seeing how quickly someone can lose everything.
“A lot of people assume homelessness is caused by bad decisions,” she says. “But more often than not, it’s just bad luck. A lost job, a medical emergency, a rent increase—it doesn’t take much to tip someone over the edge.”
This understanding drives The Council for the Homeless to expand outreach efforts beyond emergency aid, working to rebuild social safety nets that prevent homelessness in the first place.
“We need to move beyond quick fixes and look at sustainable solutions,” Welch emphasizes. “That means making sure people not only have a place to sleep tonight but a place to call home next month and next year.”
How You Can Help
With federal funding in flux and demand for services growing, The Council for the Homeless relies on community support to sustain its mission. Donations, volunteer work, and advocacy all play a role in ensuring that every Clark County resident has a fair shot at housing stability.
“The only way we’re going to solve this is together,” Welch says. “When people realize that homelessness isn’t just ‘someone else’s problem’—that it could happen to a friend, a neighbor, or even themselves—they start to see why this work matters.”
For those looking to contribute, Welch urges action: “If you want to help, reach out. There’s always something you can do—whether it’s donating, volunteering, or just learning more about the realities of homelessness in our community.”
“As real estate professionals, we have a unique ability to create change—not just by selling homes, but by helping to build stronger, more inclusive communities,” says Mary Nguyen a real estate advisor with Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty in the Vancouver office. And she lives by those words, working tirelessly to ensure that her role in the community extends far beyond transactions. In 2025, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s is ramping up their community involvement and Council for the Homeless is on top of the list.
In a city where economic hardship continues to push families to the brink, the work of The Council for the Homeless stands as a testament to resilience, compassion, and the power of human connection.
To learn more or support The Council for the Homeless, visit councilforthehomeless.org
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CouncilfortheHomeless/