KGW - $200 million housing, homelessness package sails through Oregon House
Written by KGW Staff, Jamie Parfitt, 3/15/23
“SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a $200 million funding package to address homelessness and boost affordable housing, passing it with widespread bipartisan support.
The bulk of the package, $130 million, fulfills Gov. Tina Kotek's request for an immediate influx of funding to begin addressing unsheltered homelessness in much of the state.
One of Kotek's first official acts as governor was to declare a state of emergency for homelessness, with one controversial aspect — it applies only to counties where the unsheltered homeless population increased by 50% or more between 2017 and 2022. A number of counties were thus left out of the state of emergency. Clatsop County was later added after lobbying the state.
In her proposal, Kotek's office said that the vast majority of that funding would go toward rent assistance and eviction protection services, adding low-barrier shelter beds and rehousing people currently living unsheltered in areas covered by the state of emergency.
‘Every Oregonian deserves to have access to safe and affordable housing in the community of their choice," said Rep. Maxine Dexter, a Democrat from Portland who chairs the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness. “We have answered this moment of intense need with a swift and collaborative response. I am proud to put forth this package that will deliver relief to every corner of the state.’”
