Responding to Sheltering in Public Spaces

Addressing homelessness in Salem is a top priority for the community and the City Council. Here you will find updates on the efforts being made by the City, Salem Housing Authority, and our community partners. You can also explore the City’s other housing and shelter information

February 16, 2026 

Clean Salem Works Throughout City

The Clean Salem Team is part of a broader network addressing unsheltered homelessness. The network helps people living without shelter by sharing resources and offering alternatives. They also help private property owners with concerns about unauthorized access or trespass to their property. Most recently, the team has been or will be working in:

  • Front and Division NE
  • Mill Creek
  • Wallace Marine Park
  • 14th and Tripp
  • Gaffin Road
  • Sunnyview Road
  • Fairview Industrial Drive SE

A Change of Attitude

The Salem Police Homelessness Services Team (HST) works alongside the Clean Salem Team to manage and reduce public safety and livability issues. Homeless Services aims to manage public safety issues related to encampments and connect individuals with needed services, rather than just displacing them.

This is a story of one of those efforts from an HST officer:

A woman had lived in Wallace Marine park for several years and was resource resistant with outreach people. During the time she lived at Wallace she routinely assisted officers by providing information important to investigations. Her information led to victims and to suspects.  She had several opportunities to get into housing over the years but when the day came to move out of Wallace, she ultimately denied resources and didn’t follow through.  Even after several different failed attempts to get her housed, I continued to encourage her to access resources. 

Within the past month, she finally accepted help and requested housing. We were then able to get her a spot in the Navigation Center.

Day Center Services
2026 Shelter Update
2025 Shelter Update
2024 Shelter Updates
2023Shelter Updates
2022 Shelter Updates