Oregon’s $3.4 Million Housing 360 Grants Aim to Tackle Homelessness and Mental Health

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek heralded the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Housing 360 pilot program, a new initiative to address homelessness and mental health challenges. Grants of $3.4 million have been awarded to community partners for innovative solutions to these issues.

Oregon Housing 360 Grants Awarded

Part of the broader Oregon Rehousing Initiative, the Housing 360 initiative has $39 million in funding allocated through SB 5701 in 2024. In response to the Governor’s state of emergency declaration, Oregon wants to rehouse 3,300 unsheltered households by July,

Governor Kotek highlighted how important it is to meet people where they are to transition them from homelessness to stable housing. She aims to help every Oregonian transition from living on the street to stable housing. The state is aware that mental health challenges can prevent people from getting the care and housing they need.

Housing 360 grants were awarded to:

• Benton County: $900,000 to leverage community homes and match them with people needing housing while coordinating pre-treatment, secure housing, and behavioral health support services.
• Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) in Wasco County: $1 million to prioritize Tribal communities disparately impacted by homelessness in the region.
• Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action (MWVCAA) in Marion County: $800,000 to prioritize people exiting institutional or carceral facilities who were homeless before entering the institution. The program will provide intensive case management, medical and mental health care, and housing navigation.
• Washington County: $700,000 to connect people to housing services by embedding housing system navigators in behavioral and physical health-oriented programs.

Gov. Kotek said, “These projects will help us save lives now and make sure we get the details right into the future.”