The Multnomah County Supportive Housing Services (SHS) Measure has reportedly assisted a substantial number of individuals in overcoming homelessness last year. The voter-approved initiative, which aims to provide housing in addition to behavioral health and substance use services, has been lauded for its significant impact on the local community, according to a new annual report from the Joint Office of Homeless Services obtained by Multnomah County News.
Data highlighted in the report shows that the SHS Measure supported 2,322 people in their transition from homelessness to housing, marking a 76% increase compared to the previous year. In addition to this, 1,160 individuals had access to emergency and behavioral health shelter beds, and 2,675 people benefited from outreach, legal services, and employment assistance. The funding has also enabled the creation of 105 additional recovery and stabilization beds, thus expanding capacity at day services providers, and significantly increasing the volume of culturally specific services, the report illuminates.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson told Multnomah County News, "I’m proud the Joint Office continues to make such strong gains in performance and spending and we’ve been successful in increasing the urgency and accountability of this critical work." She added that these efforts were leading to "a stronger, healthier Multnomah County for the future."
One key area of focus for the SHS Measure, as illuminated by the report, is on equity – with BIPOC communities receiving a substantial proportion of the services. Specifically, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) made up 66% of individuals housed in SHS-funded permanent supportive housing and 64% in rapid rehousing initiatives. Additional funds have been channeled into addiction treatment services, totaling about $15 million in SHS dollars, with a resultant increase in available recovery-oriented, stabilization, and transitional housing beds.
The annual report also showcases the personal accounts of those who have benefited from the SHS Measure. Stories like Monique, who found stability and addiction recovery in permanent supportive housing, and Brian, who transitioned from living in a tent to a home of his own, underscore the real-life impact of these services. Service providers received significant support as well, with $10 million in workforce stabilization grants being distributed to aid in reversing challenges faced by the homeless services workforce.
Finally, the SHS Measure's financial management and spending efficiency received special attention, with the Joint Office of Homeless Services effectively utilizing every dollar from the additional revenue — an expenditure aligning with the heightened collection forecasts. Metro had initially forecast Multnomah County to receive $96.2 million in SHS dollars for FY 2024, but the actual figure reached $140.4 million, a detail noted by the report. The Joint Office responded to this by programming, allocating, and then spending $143.5 million, ensuring the funds directly impacted the lives of people experiencing homelessness.
