Tina Kotek asks Legislature to create a statewide homeless shelter system

The first hearing of a measure introduced by Governor Tina Kotek, which would establish a statewide system of homeless shelters at a cost of $218 million over the next two years, was attended by Kotek on Monday.

That is the continuing expense of maintaining the 4,800 shelter beds that the state currently funds, according to Matthew Tschabold, the governor’s head of housing and homelessness. If legislators approve, the state housing agency would create a network of regional coordinators to manage funding for local shelters and report back to the legislature on metrics such as the number of people served, the amount of money spent, the kinds of services offered, and other indicators of shelter success.

Kotek informed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness that expanding this system (of shelters) is not the aim. The objective is not shelter. The objective is rehousing.

However, Kotek stated that a key component of her broader strategy to provide housing for all Oregon’s homeless population is safe, accessible shelter. Approximately 22,875 of Oregon’s 4.2 million citizens were homeless in January 2024, according to a nationally mandated count, which was higher than in 2023. We’ll soon have updated figures from the January 2025 count.

Kotek and Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat from Ashland, headed a collaborative work group that produced the measure. The Oregon Housing and Community Services agency would be instructed to create areas for the state, none of which would be smaller than a single county, and designate regional coordinators who would be in charge of drafting yearly plans for their area and supervising the execution of a unified sheltering strategy.

Shelters would need to fulfill specific requirements in order to be eligible for financing, such as implementing evidence-based and culturally sensitive methods. To guarantee that beds were assigned to those with the greatest needs first, a fair admissions procedure would need to be in place. Additionally, every state-funded shelter would need to be open around-the-clock, with the exception of emergency weather shelters.

Low-barrier shelters would receive at least 70% of state shelter funds, with recovery-based shelters receiving the remaining portion.

Representatives from Umatilla, Marion, and Deschutes counties were among the experts from throughout Oregon who spoke in favor of the bill, arguing that it increased stability and gave local providers the proper flexibility, particularly in locations with little local financing sources.

Redmond pastor Rick Russell expressed gratitude that the measure acknowledged the need of funding alternative shelter models, such as safe parking lots, where victims of previous domestic abuse frequently feel safer than in big, dorm-style shelters. Additionally, Cindy Timmons, a county delegate from Umatilla County, stated that money for transportation to and from shelter would be particularly beneficial in her area, but that a safe parking area would never be permitted where she resided.

About 31% of the $700 million the governor allocated to combat homelessness in her proposed 2025–2027 budget, which was made public in December, would go toward the new shelter system. Additionally, Kotek wants to see $173 million allocated to avoiding homelessness and $188 million allocated to helping Oregonians move out of homelessness.

Along with a number of other housing and homelessness programs, Kotek is urging lawmakers this session to approve $880 million in new bonding authority for housing creation as part of her proposed $39.9 billion budget.

During Monday’s meeting, members of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness were unable to ask questions. According to Marsh, who is sponsoring the bill at Kotek’s request, the public hearing on the bill will continue on Wednesday to give lawmakers more opportunity to ask questions and offer comments.

For The Oregonian, Lillian Mongeau Hughes writes about mental health and homelessness. For advice or inquiries, send her an email [email protected]. Or follow her on X at @lrmongeau or [email protected].

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