Buehler outlines plan to end homelessness in Oregon
With a recent federal report revealing nearly 14,000 people experiencing homelessness in Oregon – up 6 percent in the past two years – Republican gubernatorial nominee and state Rep. Knute Buehler of Bend announced Monday a seven-point plan to address the growing crisis that is impacting people and communities all across the state.
Gov. Kate Brown’s campaign quickly responded that his plan “doesn’t add up” and “isn’t a serious proposal.”
Here’s the rest of Buehler’s news release, in full, followed by a statement from the Brown campaign:
“Under Kate Brown, our homeless crisis is getting worse. It’s become a humanitarian, public health and public safety crisis that needs bolder and more creative leadership from a new Governor,” Buehler said at a news conference in Portland. “In Oregon, a street, or sidewalk should never be anyone’s home. I’ll lead with compassion, and a little tough love to help solve this complex problem.”
Buehler was joined at the Skidmore Fountain in Old Town by Robert Johnson, a native Portland resident who was formerly homeless, and is now living a full and independent life, thanks to guidance and assistance from public and private resources. Buehler served as a friend and mentor to Johnson as he now has a thriving professional career, marriage and a new child, transitioning over the years from homelessness
“I am living proof that homelessness and poverty for most people without a mental, or physical disability can be a temporary condition and not a permanent way of life,” said Johnson. “Knute’s ideas to address homelessness and lift people up aren’t Republican or Democrat ideas – they are good ideas. Having a Governor in Oregon focused on this problem would be big change.”
Highlights of Buehler’s plan, Ending Unsheltered Homelessness in Oregon by 2023, include:
Leadership from a Governor – End unsheltered homelessness in Oregon in five years. Balance Oregonians instincts for generosity and compassion with their expectation for safe, clean neighborhoods and communities. Convene a statewide summit on solving homelessness and establish a state-level Chief Homeless Solutions Officer empowered to lead efforts to end unsheltered homelessness and to align state, federal, local, non-profit and private sector policies and resources toward agreed upon priorities and goals.
Community-based Medicaid for Mental Health – Dedicate state Medicaid dollars for both physical and mental health care to community-based, street-level clinics where homeless populations need it the most and can access it more easily. Seek state legislation and changes to Oregon’s federal Medicaid agreement to allow this program to go forward.
Replace Unsafe Camps with 8,000 New Shelter Beds – Dedicate $10 million in the 2019-20 budget combined with community-based resources to create an additional 4,000 temporary emergency shelter beds and 4,000 long-term supportive-housing beds to move people from streets and camps to shelters with access to transition services, and longer-term treatment and care as needed.
Stronger Tools for Safer Local Streets – Provide local governments stronger legal tools to manage and regulate activity on streets and sidewalks. Introduce legislation based on the 2013 legislation, HB 2963, to help clarify the state law giving local jurisdictions the right to more strictly regulate street and sidewalk activity.
New Direct Workplace Housing Rental Assistance – Establish The Oregon Workplace Housing Assistance Fund, a $50 million, five-year fund to empower and assist qualifying working families with one-to-three years of direct rental assistance.
Fast-track 20,000 New Housing Units to Combat Affordability – Address Oregon’s housing supply shortage and affordability crisis by boosting the number and diversity of new housing construction beyond current planning estimates. Push state and local governments to pursue “all of the above” housing strategies – from greater density in urban areas to new suburban neighborhoods. Remove barriers to developing more multi-family apartments, innovative modular and tiny homes and communal neighborhood arrangements.
Job Training for Economic Independence – Establish a Governor’s Council on Re-entry Employment where employers and non-profits can coordinate efforts to teach life and workplace skills, and train and employ formerly homeless people for employment. Direct Regional Solutions Centers to work with trade unions and industry to connect transitional homeless to intensive job training programs that lead to career and technical education apprenticeships.
Click here for Buehler’s homelessness plan.
—
Response from Christian Gaston, Gov. Brown’s campaign communications director:
“Knute Buehler’s plan doesn’t add up. Building 8,000 shelter beds will cost 10 times the $10 million he’s proposing to spend. If half of those are supportive housing units, the price tag will climb higher. This isn’t a serious proposal.
“Instead of empty promises, Oregonians want results. Governor Kate Brown dedicated new resources for homelessness prevention, rent assistance and housing services and today 11,000 new affordable housing units are being built across Oregon. 31,000 Oregonians have a roof over their head because of these interventions. This is a strong foundation, and she knows there is more work to do.
“Going forward, Governor Brown is committed to allocating $300 million in new resources ensuring every child sleeps with a roof over their head by increasing emergency rental assistance, ensuring domestic violence survivors and their children have a safe place to sleep, and building and preserving more than 4,000 affordable homes for children and families.
“She will also increase funding by $20 million for permanent supportive housing to help the chronically homeless get off the streets and increase access to addictions and mental health treatment and other critical medical care.
“And, she will continue to focus on the unique housing needs of those in rural Oregon by ensuring they can afford to live in the same communities they work, with $35 million in new investments.
“Governor Brown will also continue to work with Legislative leaders to end no-cause evictions.
“These are real commitments built on the work the governor has done over the past three years, not empty campaign promises.”
