Who We Are

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.