PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Governor Tina Kotek urged lawmakers to pass a $155 million package to address the state’s homelessness crisis during a hearing in the Oregon House on Tuesday.
The Oregon House Committee on Housing and Homelessness held a hearing on HB 5019, which would provide statewide assistance to reduce homelessness.
The bill includes $85.2 million for rehousing 1,200 households and expanding shelter capacity in emergency areas by 600 beds. An additional $33.6 million would be invested to homelessness prevention throughout the state and another $200,000 to develop a proposal for a long-term rental assistance program.
There is an additional provision to address homelessness in 26 rural counties in the Balance of State Continuum of Care by investing $27.4 million which would expand shelter capacity by 100 beds.
Under the bill, $5 million would also be allocated to federally recognized tribes.
“My recommended budget urges you to make significant, additional investments to rehouse and prevent homelessness for more Oregonians, build and preserve more housing units statewide, and increase homeownership. We can and must rise to meet the moment.”
Kotek’s testimony follows her declared homelessness state of emergency on Jan. 10 and she called on the legislature to invest in addressing the crisis.
On Tuesday, Kotek said by Jan. 10, 2024, her goal is to prevent over 8,000 households from becoming homeless statewide, add 600 low-barrier shelters to emergency areas and rehouse at least 1,200 households within emergency areas. The governor said Oregon will only be able to meet these goals with this early investment.
During her testimony, Kotek noted her initial proposal of $130 million to address homelessness, but said after speaking with lawmakers, the package now totals $155 million.
She said more investments towards housing and homelessness will need to be made in the next biennium budget.
Kotek was the sole guest on Eye On Northwest Politics this past Sunday. She answered questions from KOIN 6 News anchor Ken Boddie on the homeless, new leadership at OLCC and the Greater Idaho movement.