Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson is steering the county's resources towards a future with fewer people sleeping on the streets. Starting May 27, there will be a shift in how outreach supplies are distributed to those experiencing homelessness. The county will now limit direct distribution of tents to times of severe or cold weather, while other supplies like hygiene kits, first aid, water, clothing, and sleeping bags will remain available year-round.
This change arrives amidst broader efforts to provide more shelter beds and transition individuals into housing. "Making sure people in our community are safe and housed is goal one," Vega Pederson explained. Meanwhile, the Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards expressed her support for the new rule, stating, "Tents are not a solution to homelessness." Despite the alteration in distribution strategy, outreach providers can still use flexible client funds to purchase tents, as per Multnomah County.
Multnomah County started changing the distribution approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, adjusting to public health guidelines which required more physical distancing. The new rule aims to encourage the use of existing shelter beds and prioritize getting individuals into more stable housing situations. It replaces interim guidelines put in place by the Homeless Services Department in October 2024.
Outreach supplies play a significant role in helping those living unsheltered by providing a degree of safety, security, and privacy—especially when shelter availability is stretched thin. However, as Chair Vega Pederson's office notes, the ultimate objective is to reduce the dependency on temporary solutions like tents by increasing shelter and affordable housing capacity. Since January 2021, 7,398 formerly homeless individuals have been assisted with rent support or other services—a 79% increase. Furthermore, there's been an 81% increase in shelter beds funded by the County and City of Portland.
In Vega Pederson's proposed FY 2026 budget, a consolidation of two county supply warehouses is expected to add $941,000 to the funding pool, aimed at maintaining and expanding services for the homeless community. This administrative change reflects the county's ongoing commitment to shifting resources and strategies, with the hope of providing more permanent solutions for homelessness in the region.
