Oregon’s Homelessness Crisis Sparks Bold Statewide Shelter Overhaul Amid Growing Public Backlash

After years of increased state funding to address homelessness and ever-growing numbers of homeless Oregonians, lawmakers and Gov. Tina Kotek are pushing for more state oversight and coordination for homeless shelters as the state continues to grapple with a growing crisis.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is working with lawmakers to ensure people experiencing homelessness anywhere in the state can find shelter and the services they need to move back into housing by pushing for more state oversight and coordination for homeless shelters.

Oregon Governor And Lawmakers Push For Better Homeless Shelter Services

After extending the emergency order to address Oregon homelessness until June this year, Kotek’s office and Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, have spent months working on House Bill 3644, which includes plans for a statewide homeless shelter program.

The bill would require regional coordination and a focus on getting homeless Oregonians into their own homes by formalizing the regional approach currently adopted by shelter providers and local governments.

Notwithstanding several state interventions, Oregon’s homelessness rate is one of the highest in the US. Kotek told lawmakers on the House Housing and Homelessness Committee that the framework created by HB3644  would help people experiencing homelessness anywhere in Oregon know where to go for help.

The proposal accounts for almost $220 million of the $700 million the state seeks to spend to help shelter homeless Oregonians and prevent people living on the brink from falling into homelessness.

A report by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development indicates almost 23,000 of Oregon’s roughly 4.2 million residents were homeless in January 2024, of which around 62% lacked shelter.

The number of homeless people in Oregon has grown since Kotek took office in 2023 despite record spending on shelter programs, eviction prevention, and other homelessness prevention efforts.

Legislative supporters of the programs expect the crisis to be alleviated,  estimating that as a direct result of her emergency order and state funding:

• 3,330 families will have moved off the streets and into permanent homes
• 24,000 families will have received state aid to keep them from becoming homelessness
• 4,800 new shelter beds will exist across the state

Pushback Against Oregon’s Extended Aid To Fix Homelessness: Public Can Comment On HB 3644

Social media is awash with significant criticism and pushback against extending homelessness aid funding.

HB 3644 has not yet been finalized, and lawmakers will accept more public comments. Written comments may be submitted, or members of the public can sign up to speak to the committee on the Oregon Legislature website.

Gov Kotek said at a news conference, “It’s trying to put into place what has been working well on the ground throughout the state.”