MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced an emergency order on Thursday, allotting $62 million for homeless services. This comes after months of discussion and heated debates over how the funding should be utilized to combat the homelessness crisis.
"An emergency order will jump start our efforts to address the homelessness crisis and the incredible behavioral health needs on our streets." said Vega Pederson.
This comes just two weeks after county commissioners approved how to spend $62 million unspent dollars meant for homeless services. This will include approving emergency contract awards to speed up the distribution of money and resources — following the Board's 4-1 vote on Sept. 28 to allocate $50 million in unanticipated Supportive Housing Services revenue released by Metro this summer and $12 million from federal COVID-19 funds.
Also keeping Portland's daytime camping ban in mind — soon to be enforced. Vega Pederson says, investments have to be implemented in time to change what happens on the streets when the ordinance goes into full effect.
Homeless nonprofit day centers like Rose Haven are keen for the funding, "I imagine that the daytime camping ban once its enforced is only going to bring more people to our doorstep," said Katie O'Brien, Rose Haven executive director.
With the potential increase in foot traffic, Rose Haven alongside Blanchet House, another nonprofit day center known for providing homeless services will soon receive funding from the county so they can expand their services.
"We're thrilled to be named an agency I think a lot of times day shelters haven't gotten a lot of recognition of support in this city," said O'Brien.
The specific amount of funding each organization will receive remains uncertain, but the county says they have made a total investment of about $3.3 million for day services.
For most organizations like Rose Haven, anything helps, "I'm not exactly sure what that means for us yet, but we're really excited about what this might be able to help us with," said O'Brien.
The county is now also spending $500,000 on a new day center in North Portland which the county has provided limited details on.
"I can't give you more details right now but as soon as we have details to share we will do that," said Vega Pederson.
Portland's mass sanctioned homeless campsites will be getting the most money, specifically $16 million to build two more sites — the first is already open in Southeast Portland.
Funding will also be allocated towards building a sobering center and 24/7 stabilization center for people leaving detox in downtown Portland.
"I will say the stabilization center is more part of a behavioral health network sobering is more of a crisis response first responder place," said Vega Pederson.
Specific investments for the funding, prorated for the cost of services for the rest of the fiscal year, includes:
- Expanded options for family shelters and village-style shelters
- More capacity for behavioral health crisis, stabilization and housing services
- Enhanced and expanded daytime services, tied to Portland's daytime camping ban
- Emergency housing and legal assistance to prevent evictions and homelessness
- Housing assistance to free up shelter beds