Multnomah County Pauses New Housing Vouchers After Losing State Funding

"Multnomah County is pausing new housing placements for hundreds of homeless residents after adjusting its budget to address the loss of state funding it had expected to receive. The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 October 30 to approve funding for 1,051 people to continue their housing process through rental voucher programs. But it also paused rapid rehousing programs-including those that move people directly from shelter into housing-after approving a budget modification to accommodate for a $4.5 million Homeless Services Department funding gap."

"For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the county's Homeless Services Department is receiving $26 million from the state. That's well short of what it expected from Governor Tina Kotek's recommended budget when the county adopted its budget in July. The state legislature, a Democratic supermajority, reduced funding to the department by $28 million, or 55 percent less than Kotek's recommendation. That means the county will be unable to offer new housing vouchers to nearly 700 people this fiscal year, some of whom are already looking for housing."

Multnomah County paused new housing placements for hundreds of homeless residents after adjusting its budget to address a lost state funding source. The county board voted 3-2 on October 30 to approve funding for 1,051 people to continue through rental voucher programs while pausing rapid rehousing that moves people directly from shelter into housing, following a budget modification to cover a $4.5 million Homeless Services Department gap. The department will receive $26 million from the state for 2025–26, $28 million less than the governor's recommendation, leaving nearly 700 people without new vouchers this fiscal year. The city prioritizes congregate overnight shelters under Mayor Keith Wilson, while the county coordinates eviction prevention, rehousing programs, and other services; 82% of those enrolled in rapid rehousing remain housed after two years. The mayor's office expressed disappointment about the reduced funding and its impacts.

Read at Portland Mercury