Lasko Refuge is one of Oregon’s most innovative and effective recovery housing organizations — and the ideal launch partner for ORHF’s statewide vision. Founded in 2020 by Nathan Lasko, whose lived experience of homelessness and addiction fuels the program’s purpose, Lasko Refuge has set a new standard for what low-barrier, recovery-oriented housing can achieve.

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In 2024 alone, Lasko Refuge added 24 new recovery beds, bringing the total capacity to 87 beds across Portland. These expansions were delivered ahead of schedule, under budget, and at an average cost of only $17,357 per bed — dramatically outperforming traditional housing models.

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Their impact speaks for itself:

• 67% of alumni report being sober 90 days after discharge — a powerful metric of stability and long-term success.

• 100% of staff are tenants hired from within the homes, building a supportive peer-led culture.

• Over 50% of tenants come from marginalized or underserved communities.

• 4.9 stars on Google, with dozens of tenants and family members sharing stories of stability, transformation, and life-saving support.

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Lasko Refuge’s model is deeply low-barrier: tenants are not required to have clean time or a clean UA to enter, making the homes accessible to people who would otherwise fall through system gaps. Recovery expectations begin after a person is safely housed, resulting in more equitable access and higher retention.

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Their 2024 grants underscore what is possible when recovery housing is run efficiently:

• $275,000 from Multnomah County Behavioral Health → produced a 12-bed home in 3 months.

• $211,000 from Senate Bill 1530 → resulted in a 13-bed home in 4 months.

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Both homes filled within a month of opening and have remained full, making them 100% financially independent thanks to Lasko Refuge's model.

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Few organizations in Oregon have demonstrated this level of speed, cost-efficiency, and measurable success. Lasko Refuge shows what recovery housing can become when lived experience, low-barrier philosophy, and operational excellence come together.

 

This is why ORHF chose Lasko Refuge as its inaugural partner:
They provide a real-world blueprint of what can be scaled, replicated, and standardized across the state.