OREGON UPDATES
Gov. Kotek Announces Details of $85.2M for Local Homelessness
Emergency Plans Salem, OR | April 10, 2023 | Salem Statesman Journal O n her first full day in office as governor, Tina Kotek signed three executive orders addressing homelessness in the state. She also called for state lawmakers to approve millions in funding for the ongoing crisis.
In her inaugural address, Kotek said her goal was that the proposed “urgent investment” would help at least 1,200 Oregonians who are experiencing homelessness move off the streets within a year. The Oregon Legislature addressed Kotek’s request in House Bill 5019, one of two bills making up the $200 million affordable housing and emergency homelessness response package. HB 5019 directed $85.2 million for local homelessness emergency plans. On Monday, Kotek announced specific funding amounts local regions will receive.
Gov. Tina Kotek on March 29th signs House bills 2001 and 5019, two bills part of a package aimed at addressing the sate’s ongoing housing and homelessness crisis, as legislators, advocates and agency leaders look on.
The bill also appropriated $33.6 million toward preventing homelessness for an estimated 8,750 households. That funding will be distributed through existing eviction prevention programs, according to the announcement. An additional $26 million will also go towards regions that do not meet the threshold to be included in the emergency order. “I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to help move this work forward,” Kotek said in the statement. “This alone won’t solve this crisis, but it is a significant downpayment on our efforts. It will build the new, outcomes-oriented infrastructure we need to address homelessness heading into the next year.” Click HERE to read more. n
Left: A makeshift site for homeless campers in Eugene, OR.
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