Bend, Sisters mayors among 25 pitching $123.5 million-a-year plan to tackle homelessness
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(Update: Plan details released.
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – An Oregon Mayors Association task force of 25 mayors, including the mayors of Bend and Sisters, submitted a letter Friday to Oregon’s three gubernatorial candidates and the Legislature, outlining a plan they said would successfully address the current statewide homelessness crisis.
The plan calls for a partnership between the state and Oregon’s 241 incorporated cities to provide comprehensive funding for local homelessness response and prevention programs. This would require direct allocations to each incorporated city in Oregon, totaling $123,575,800 annually.
In addition to direct, annual allocations, coordinated capital construction investments for specific shelter and transitional housing projects statewide would also be required.
The task force, consisting of 25 mayors from across the state, was created in May to develop a response to homelessness that would help all communities statewide, regardless of size or location, to address the issue.
OMA Communications Director Kevin Toon said the yearly figure was determined based on city populations and local needs for both preventing and addressing homelessness.
The following mayors comprise the task force:
Jeff Gowing, Cottage Grove; OMA President Teri Lenahan, North Plains; OMA President-Elect
Julie Akins, Ashland Lacy Beaty, Beaverton
Gena Goodman-Campbell, Bend Meadow Martell, Cave Junction
Beth Wytoski, Dayton Jim Trett, Detroit
Lucy Vinis, Eugene Carol MacInnes, Fossil
Travis Stovall, Gresham Dave Drotzmann, Hermiston
Steve Callaway, Hillsboro Kate McBride, Hood River
Carol Westfall, Klamath Falls Ray Turner, Lakeview
Randy Sparacino, Medford Jessica Engelke, North Bend
Ted Wheeler, Portland Michael Preedin, Sisters
Richard Mays, The Dalles Jason Snider, Tigard
Rod Cross, Toledo Tom Vialpando, Vale
Henry Balensifer III, Warrenton
About the Oregon Mayors Association
The purpose of the OMA is to increase the knowledge and skills of Oregon mayors and make a strong, collective effort to influence state programs and legislation. OMA is an affiliate organization of the League of Oregon Cities.