Local governments and nonprofits in the Portland metro area have significantly increased their spending on homelessness interventions, according to a recent report by ECOnorthwest. The report reveals that Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties collectively spent $531 million on combating homelessness in the fiscal year 2023, marking a 70% surge from the previous year.
One of the key drivers behind this substantial increase in spending was the infusion of nearly $90 million in federal pandemic relief funds, along with the implementation of a regional homeless tax that was approved by voters in 2020. John Tapogna, a senior policy advisor at ECOnorthwest, emphasized the dynamic nature of revenue flows into the homelessness intervention system, highlighting the constant changes in funding sources.
While approximately 7,500 individuals in the tri-county area are currently residing in emergency shelters or on the streets, the report also sheds light on the significant number of people who have recently transitioned out of homelessness and are now receiving rental support. Furthermore, over 81,000 individuals are identified as being at risk of homelessness due to their low incomes and the high cost of housing in the region.
Despite the substantial investments in temporary shelter, services, and housing placement, Multnomah County has experienced a continued rise in homelessness. Although the county reported a decrease in chronic homelessness, the overall number of individuals without shelter has increased since 2022, with nearly 6,300 homeless individuals counted in the county as of the 2023 point-in-time count.
In contrast, Washington and Clackamas counties saw a decline in their homeless populations in 2023, which has prompted calls for Multnomah County to reverse its upward trend in homelessness rates. Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan expressed concerns about the disparity in outcomes among the neighboring counties, attributing Multnomah County’s higher service provision to its attractiveness for homeless individuals.
Ryan also highlighted the prevalence of open-air drug use and dealing in Portland, noting the impact of Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment on the city’s homeless population. In response to these challenges, Oregon lawmakers passed a bill to reclassify drug possession as a misdemeanor crime starting September 1.
As Portland and its surrounding counties grapple with the complex issue of homelessness, the need for comprehensive tracking of funding sources and outcomes becomes increasingly vital. The report underscores the importance of maintaining detailed accounting practices to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing homelessness, particularly in light of California’s struggles to monitor the effectiveness of its $24 billion spending on homelessness over the past five years.
While the Portland metro area’s increased spending on homelessness interventions signifies a significant commitment to addressing the crisis, ongoing efforts to track the impact of these investments and adapt strategies to meet the evolving needs of the homeless population will be crucial moving forward. The region’s multifaceted approach to combating homelessness serves as a microcosm of the broader national conversation on effective intervention strategies and resource allocation in the face of growing housing insecurity and economic challenges.