Governor Tina Kotek Releases Details of $130 Million Budget Package to Reduce Unsheltered Homelessness in 2023

On Thursday, Governor Tina Kotek's office released details of the proposed $130 million to be allocated from the current state budget to help unhoused people and avert further homelessness.

"This spending package will aim to provide immediate relief to at least 1,200 unsheltered Oregonians, prevent nearly 9,000 households from becoming homeless, expand the state’s shelter capacity by 600 new beds, increase sanitation services, and ensure a coordinated, equitable response to the homelessness emergency," according to the release. 

Her initial proposal includes:

• $33.6 million to prevent 8,750 households from becoming homeless by funding rent assistance and other eviction prevention services.
  
  
• $23.8 million to add 600 low-barrier shelter beds statewide and hire more housing navigators to ensure unsheltered Oregonians can get connected to the shelter and services they need.
  
  
• $54.4 million to rehouse at least 1,200 unsheltered households by funding prepaid rental assistance, block leasing at least 600 vacant homes, landlord guarantees and incentives, and other re-housing services.
  
  
• $5 million to support emergency response directly to the nine sovereign tribes in the State of Oregon.
  
  
• $5 million to increase capacity for culturally responsive organizations to support equitable outcomes of the homelessness state of emergency.
  
  
• $2 million to support local communities for sanitation services.
  
  
• $1.8 million to support the emergency response being coordinated by the Office of Emergency Management and Oregon Housing and Community Services.

Read more at State of Oregon Newsroom : NewsDetail : State of Oregon