Central City Concern unveils 2 new healthcare vans to bolster homeless outreach in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A new service is helping those living on the street get badly needed medical treatment.

On Tuesday, Central City Concern (CCC) celebrated the launch of the new program in downtown Portland involving two new custom-built healthcare vans. Even before the vehicles became part of the picture, CCC started providing care to people on foot back in September.

“They said it was going to take 18 months. A lot of people say it takes 18 months to get those off the ground. We got our funding in June. We soft-launched in September and here we are," said Lori Dolo Scott with CCC.  

The services include wound care, physical exams, infectious disease screening, vaccinations, medications, behavioral health care, dental services and housing resources. 

The vans will make regular appearances at a variety of locations. That includes temporary assistance shelter sites, encampments, service hubs like day centers, food and meal resource sites and community events.

The funding for CCC’s healthcare vans comes from Multnomah County’s Joint Office of Homeless Services, Oregon Health Authority, Trillium Community Health Plan, the Maybelle Clark MacDonald Fund and the City of Portland. 

CCC’s won’t be the only healthcare vans around Portland. Dolo Scott said they will be joining a fleet of other groups, coordinating to ensure they will be at different locations.