On any given day, thousands of people in Portland are in financial distress. Some have lost a job, some have lost benefits, some are just struggling to afford the cost of living.
The City of Portland can help you save money on bills, transportation, and housing.
(For help with SNAP benefits, unemployment benefits, or health insurance, try Multnomah County, the Oregon Department of Human Services, or OregonHealthCare.gov.)
This page also has links to resources for food, shelter, eviction help, and more.
SNAP alert
Get the latest updates on SNAP from the Oregon Department of Human Services.
Where to find foodOregon Food Bank: Find free food through the food-finder tool.Produce for People: Community gardeners donate thousands of pounds of fresh food to local food pantries. Find a list of partners.School meals: All students in Portland Public Schools can enjoy breakfast and lunch for free during the school year.Cut your billsHousing and shelterHelp for rentersGetting aroundTriMet Hop Card: Reduced fare options for qualifying riders.Transportation Wallet: Passes and credits so people have more choices to get around: transit, bike-share, e-scooters, and ride-share. Programs for people on low incomes. Offered by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.Portland Rides: the E-bike rebate program will start providing rebates in March 2026. You may qualify for a rebate for a new e-bike at a local bike retailer, thanks to the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).Fix itResourceful PDX: Practical tips and resources to help you waste less, spend wisely, and support our community.Resourceful PDX Map: Tool libraries, repair shops, resale shops, donation centers.Repair, borrow, share: Resources for fixing stuff and borrowing stuff from the Community Resource Guide.: Learn how to check for water leaks and fix simple and leaks yourself.Free stuff to doPortland Parks & Recreation offers hundreds of classes and activities. Many are free. Apply for a discount based on your income.Office of Arts & Culture supports a wide variety of events, classes, and programming – including free and family-friendly opportunities.Home repair and insulationWeatherization: Save on energy bills by making your home more efficient – for free. From Multnomah County.Home repair: Free weatherization and safety repairs for low-income households, seniors, and people with disabilities. From the Community Energy Project.: Free leak repair for income-qualified homeowners. You must be enrolled in the Portland Water Bureau’s financial assistance program and own your own home to qualify.More resources
The resources on this page are just a tiny fraction of all the resources available in Portland. Learn more at:
211info.org or call 211 for:Housing and shelterMental and behavioral healthBasic needsHelp with billsLegal servicesCommunity Resource Guide: A wealth of information for living on a tight budget from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.Homeless Assistance Guide: Resources for shelter, immediate needs, health, and more from Portland Solutions.Rose City Resource Guide: A guide to shelter, food, health care, clothes, and practically everything from Street Roots.
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