Gov. Kotek announces new round of funding for rural counties in homelessness response

Central Oregon counties were in first round of funding last spring

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Governor Tina Kotek on Tuesday announced funding allocations to counties within Oregon's Balance of State Continuum of Care as part of her homelessness state of emergency, as well as the specific outcomes attached to these emergency dollars.

The funding comes from House Bill 5019, approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Kotek in response to her homelessness state of emergency. The bill, among other allocations, included $26.1 million to rehouse people experiencing homelessness and expand shelter capacity in the 26 rural counties that make up the Balance of State Continuum of Care.

This funding aims to reduce the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness by adding at least 100 new shelter beds and rehousing at least 450 households by June 30, 2025.

Central Oregon counties were in the first round of funding under the governor's emergency order, announced last April.

“Homelessness is a crisis in both urban and rural communities throughout Oregon,” Governor Kotek said. “In many conversations during my 36-county listening tour, Oregonians have repeatedly emphasized the need for more shelter capacity and rehousing services in their communities. This funding, tied to specific outcomes, will make a measurable impact in addressing this crisis in rural Oregon. And we can’t stop here – I will keep pushing for concrete solutions that will support community needs going forward.”

The following funding amounts are based on many factors, including the appropriation made available by the Legislature, detailed plans that local communities submitted, and a distribution formula developed by the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department:

• Baker, Grant, Union and Wallowa counties: $1.2 million to rehouse at least 33 households
• Benton County: $2.4 million to add at least 50 shelter beds and rehouse at least 31 households
• Clatsop County: $3.8 million to add at least 80 shelter beds and rehouse at least 33 households
• Columbia County: $867,453 to rehouse at least 20 households
• Coos County: $1.9 million to add at least 8 shelter beds and rehouse at least 32 households
• Curry County: $594,000 to rehouse at least 14 households
• Douglas County: $1.4 million to rehouse at least 34 households
• Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla and Wheeler counties: $2.1 million to add at least 25 shelter beds and rehouse at least 40 households
• Harney and Malheur counties: $1.3 million to rehouse at least 34 households
• Hood River, Sherman and Wasco and counties: $1.9 million to add at least 34 shelter beds and rehouse at least 29 households
• Josephine County: $2 million to add at least 16 shelter beds and rehouse at least 31 households
• Klamath and Lake counties: $1.4 million to rehouse at least 38 households
• Lincoln County: $856,178 to add at least 70 shelter beds and rehouse at least 16 households
• Linn County: $1.9 million to add at least 30 shelter beds and rehouse at least 32 households
• Tillamook County: $769,404 to add at least 20 shelter beds and rehouse at least 12 households
• Yamhill County: $1.3 million to add at least 14 shelter beds and rehouse at least 21 households

Communities established 16 Local Planning Groups with designated leads to coordinate and create a plan to achieve the outcomes. Local Planning Groups are made up of experts from local governments, non-profits, and people with lived experience of homelessness. These groups will be responsible for the implementation of funds to help move individuals and families into housing stability. 

Local Planning Groups submitted 29 shelter projects for consideration, with a total request of over $37 million.