Community Conversation Takeaways
Everyone in our community deserves a safe place to call home.Homelessness is Complex
- Rents are rising. Paychecks aren’t keeping up.
- Affordable housing is vanishing. Supply is dwindling.
- Mental health and addiction services are underfunded.
- Personal crises— like job loss or illness—can push people onto the streets.
Homelessness is rising across the country. More people are falling into homelessness because there is not enough affordable housing.
Change is Already Happening
Across our region, housing initiatives, health services, nonprofit programs, and local partnership are helping thousands of people find safety, stability, and a path forward.
Nationwide, cities achieving the most success are implementing solutions that balance resources across shelter, supportive services, and affordable housing.
Much of our local success is funded by the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) program–paid for by a 1% tax on high-income earners and large businesses. Since its passage in 2020, SHS funds have made a real impact.
People were helped moved into housing
Prevented nearly 18,000 people from losing their housing
Added or sustain more than 2,600 shelter beds
These numbers reflect just one part of the broader network of efforts underway, and show that progress is possible when we invest in what works. Transparent data dashboards about SHS-funded work are available through Metro and Multnomah County.
More Can Be Done
Opportunities for change include allowing SHS funds to build and preserve affordable housing, improving coordination across hospitals, shelters, and housing providers, sustaining wraparound care such as mental health and addiction services, and increasing transparency and public trust through public data dashboards and independent oversight.
