Do’s: Positive Actions You Can Take

• Be Kind and Respectful
  Make eye contact and speak kindly to people who are without homes. Treat them with the same respect you would offer anyone else.
• Refer to Local Resources
  Share information about services that can help. For example:
  • ARCHES: Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 615 Commercial St. NE. Call 503-399-9080.
  • Northwest Human Services Crisis & Information Hotline: Available 24/7. Call 503-581-5535 or 1-800-560-5535.
• De-escalate Disruptive Situations
  If someone is being disruptive, whether homeless or not, try to calmly de-escalate the situation if you feel comfortable doing so.
• Call for Help When Necessary
  • If someone is threatening harm to themselves or others, acting violently, or showing signs of severe mental distress, call 9-1-1 and request a mental health-trained officer.
  • For non-emergency situations, call the Salem Police non-emergency line at 503-588-6123.
• Maintain Your Property
  Keep your property clean, well-lit, and well-maintained. This encourages respect for the space and sets clear boundaries.

Don’ts: Actions to Avoid

• Do Not Assume Expectations Are Clear
  Make your boundaries known. Politely communicate your expectations to avoid misunderstandings.
• Avoid Offering Food or Money
  Unless you are prepared to handle repeat requests, it is better to refer people to local services that can provide long-term support.
• Do Not Allow Camping or Storage on Your Property
  Unless you have a trusting relationship with the individual, avoid permitting camping or storage of personal belongings on your property.

Common Scenarios and How to Respond

If Someone Is Sleeping or Loitering on Your Property

• Build a Friendly Relationship
  Introduce yourself and ask for their name. This can create trust and make future interactions easier.
• Politely Ask Them to Leave
  Use empathetic language, such as explaining that the property owner (even if it is you) has asked them to leave. This reduces tension and avoids creating a power struggle.
• Offer Alternatives
  Let them know about nearby resources, such as the day room at ARCHES or Union Gospel Mission, where they can go instead.
• Call for Help if Necessary
  If the person refuses to leave, let them know you will call the police but would prefer not to. If the situation feels unsafe, maintain a safe distance and call the non-emergency police line at 503-588-6123. For dangerous or threatening behavior, call 9-1-1.

If Someone with Mental Health Symptoms Enters Your Business

• Treat Them Like Any Other Customer
  If they make a purchase, treat them with the same respect as any other customer. This sets a positive example for employees and patrons.
• Ask Non-Customers to Leave
  If they are not making a purchase, politely explain that the space is for customers, but only if you would do the same for any nonpaying visitor.
• Handle Disruptive Behavior Safely
  If they are disruptive, ask them to leave clearly and calmly. Your safety and the safety of others should come first. If they refuse to leave, call the non-emergency police line. If the situation feels dangerous, call 9-1-1.

How to Help When You Want to Make a Difference

• Get to Know Your Neighbors
  Take time to learn the names and stories of people living on the streets in your area. Treat them like any other neighbor.
• Encourage Use of Local Services
  Help connect people to resources that can provide long-term support, such as:
  • Northwest Human Services: Offers crisis intervention, emergency rent and utility assistance, food boxes, counseling, and more. Call 1-800-560-5535.
  • ARCHES: Provides housing programs, tenant education, veteran support, and a drop-in day center. Call 503-399-9080.
• Share Helpful Information
  Distribute the Pocket Guide for the Homeless in Salem, Oregon, which lists resources and services available in the area.

Keep These Things in Mind

• Support Local Organizations
  Many groups in Salem work to help people experiencing homelessness and create affordable housing. Find an organization you want to support and ask how you can help.
• Avoid Stereotypes and Stigma
  People experiencing homelessness are not defined by their housing status. Homelessness is often temporary, and many people are actively seeking housing or shelter but cannot find any available.
• Advocate for Change
  Use your voice to advocate for solutions to homelessness. This helps improve the community for everyone, including businesses and residents.

• Salem Housing Authority: 503-588-6368
• ARCHES: 503-399-9080
• Northwest Human Services Crisis Line: 1-800-560-5535 (24/7)
• Salem Police Non-Emergency Line: 503-588-6123
• Emergency Services: Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening or safety concerns

Why is This Important?

Help Someone in Need 

• Get Help: Call the Crisis & Information Hotline at Northwest Human Services: 503-581-5535 or 1-800-560-5535, available 24/7.
• Direct to Services: Guide them  to ARCHES day use and self-support service center, open Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and in downtown Salem, 615 Commercial St. NE.
• Refer to: HOAP Day Center for service needs and support, open Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. women only - medical services available on the 2nd Monday of the month), and scheduled appointments only 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Located downtown at 694 Church St NE. Onsite Medical Services offered at HOAP every Wednesday and Medical Bus transportation available from various shelter sites Tues/Thurs/Fri - Call 503-581-5535 for pick-up times.

ReportProblems.

• Shopping carts
• Abandoned vehicles
• Tumbledown and boarded up buildings
• health hazards
• garbage
• junk removal

Be Respectful

• Show Kindness: Treat homeless people with respect and avoid spreading harmful myths. Their situation is often temporary, and they need understanding.
• Set Boundaries: Don't give money directly; instead, consider donating to organizations in Salem that are equipped to manage supplies and food storage. Keep your property tidy and use fencing or signs to mark boundaries. Don't allow someone to camp on your property, unless you have developed a trusting relationship with them. Don't let  anyone store shopping carts or personal items on your property. Let people know your property boundaries. Keep your area clean, which encourages others to respect the area.

When People Sleep or Loiter on Your Property.

• Ask Nicely: Request people sleeping on your property to leave politely. Suggest other places like ARCHES where they can go. 

• Stay Safe: If they refuse, warn that you'll call the police. For trouble, call the non-emergency line at 503-588-6123, or 9-1-1 if it's dangerous.

Important Phone Numbers

• Salem Housing Authority: 503-588-6368,  affordable housing options
• ARCHES: 503-399-9080, connect people to self support resources and day use areas.
• Northwest Human Services Crisis Line: 800-560-5535, phone help for people in crisis.
• Salem Police: 503-588-6123, non-emergency non-life-threatening concerns
• 9-1-1: For life-threatening or safety concerns

Additional Resources