Bend, Sisters mayors among 25 pitching $123.5 million-a-year plan to tackle homelessness

(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.