PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson this week released their final version of a joint plan that aims to cut homelessness in half by the end of next year.
It includes an aggressive two-year plan to expand shelter and behavioral health beds, access to affordable housing and strategies to the end the flow into homelessness from people who are exiting corrections, foster care or mental health and substance use treatment.
Some of the key goals of the plan include getting an additional 2,699 people out of homelessness and into a shelter or home by December 31, 2025, and adding 1,000 new shelter beds.
"Maybe they won't hit every target," said Scott Kerman, executive director of Blanchet House. "But if we are working towards and making significant progress, then we are going to see a lot of positive change in our community, and a lot of people are going to be helped."
Since the initial plan was released two months ago, hundreds of community members have voiced their thoughts, resulting in a few items being added: creating better housing options for refugees and asylum seekers, expanding the behavioral health workforce and funding additional day services for people experiencing homelessness.
The city and county plan to vote next month on the 55-page plan, which details over 110 action items to take place from now until 2028. One of the key items in the plan that has yet to be assigned a target date is the opening of a new 24/7 sobering center with treatment and support services.
Here's when the city and county plan to achieve some key plan items: