About NWPP:

Northwest Pilot Project (NWPP) has been addressing the many needs of very low-income seniors in Multnomah County since 1969. Started by Episcopal priest and United Church of Christ minister Peter Paulson as an all-volunteer group, NWPP focused on older adults in the downtown core of Portland providing basic supports for seniors at risk of losing their ability to live independently. Poor and isolated older adults were being put into nursing homes unnecessarily. At the time, NWPP was the only effort providing support for older adults. In response, NWPP began to “pilot” programs in areas of unmet need including:

  • The first Meals-on-Wheels program in the state of Oregon;
  • Advocacy efforts leading to increased accessibility of TriMet bus system for disabled people;
  • Relocation services for seniors losing their housing due to building closures and gentrification of areas of the city;
  • Preservation of affordable housing buildings in downtown Portland;
  • Organized a coalition of downtown Portland churches to provide emergency help to low income older adults;
  • Organized volunteers willing to assist seniors with important services such as legal assistance.

As NWPP grew, the programs it piloted spun off to other agencies. NWPP kept its focus on housing, transportation and advocacy as its core programs. Today, we are the leading advocate for low-income seniors in Multnomah County seeking housing stability.

Learn More about Northwest Pilot Project on our website: nwpilotproject.org

 

Check out NWPP's
Spring 2025
Newsletter here

Meet Lynne!
Age 67

Permanent Housing Provides A Safe Haven. Lynne is a Northwest Pilot Project client who has lived through profound adversity in her lifetime, yet chooses to focus on a future full of hope.

Meet Kevin!
Age 60

For many years, Kevin worked as a traveling live-in caregiver, dedicated to helping individuals from all walks of life maintain their independence. But when a disability of his own made it impossible to continue working, Kevin faced the hardship of homelessness. In 2020, he arrived at NWPP with little more than a backpack.

We enrolled Kevin in our program, helping him apply for disability income and secure housing. Over time, his name came up on a waitlist, and today, Kevin lives in a subsidized apartment and receives his disability benefits. With his independence restored, Kevin is thriving, and his homelessness is now a thing of the past.

“NWPP means friendship. They provide care just like a friend.”

Meet Becky!
Age 60

Becky’s path to stable housing was filled with challenges, from moving between temporary places to battling health issues.  After being evicted and hospitalized with pneumonia, she reached out to NWPP for help. We enrolled her in our Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, providing not just a home, but the resources to thrive. With the support of her case manager, Becky navigated the systems she needed to rebuild her life. Today, Becky is proof that with the right support, even the toughest struggles can be overcome.

“Thanks to NWPP, I can set goals for myself and work towards a future of independent living.”

Meet Conrad!
Age 66

Conrad’s journey hasn’t been easy, but his determination has carried him through. After facing legal troubles in the 1990s and spending over a decade in federal prison, he emerged with a vow to turn his life around. Post-incarceration, Conrad struggled with homelessness and securing housing due to his criminal record and limited income. But with the support of NWPP, Conrad worked hard to overcome these challenges.

Thanks to an expunged record and his perseverance, Conrad secured an apartment using his Social Security income while waiting for permanent subsidized housing. Today, he cherishes time with his grandchildren, pursues his education, and enjoys bike rides around his neighborhood—proof that a fresh start is possible with the right support.

“I find solace in the support of my Case Manager and the Housing Access Manager. They make a formidable team.”