*Accept grant from Multnomah County and authorize Intergovernmental Agreement for emergency shelter expansion and appropriate funds received FY 2023-24
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- On January 10, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in response to a 63% rise in homelessness since 2016.
- Oregon All In initiative will increase state investments and strengthen the connection between state and local priorities in response to Oregon’s long-growing unsheltered homelessness crisis.
- Oregon’s Department of Emergency Management and Housing and Community Services have partnered to lead the Oregon All In work.
- The initial priority in the crisis is to target funding in a coordinated, three-prong effort to prevent homelessness for at least 8,750 households statewide, increase shelter capacity in emergency areas by 600 units and rehouse at least 1,200 households statewide this year.
- The City will receive $6,621,827 in funding coming from the state of Oregon under its OAI initiative, and $4,684,756 in funding coming from Metro SHS Funds for two Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites. The OAI funding will provide site development and six months of operating costs for 140 low barrier sleeping pods housing up to 180 people in a secure, staffed and supportive shelter program. The Metro SHS funding will be used for investments in additional TASS sites established after the IGA’s Effective Date. This funding will expand low-barrier alternative shelter capacity, provide critical support services, and help unhoused Portlanders rapidly move back into stable housing.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- The Mayor is hereby authorized to accept on behalf of the City of Portland a grant from Multnomah County for the Temporary Alternative Shelter Site.
- The Mayor is authorized to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement in a form similar to the contract attached as Exhibit A.
- The Mayor is authorized to execute amendments, approved as to form by the City Attorney, to increase the amount of funds the City receives from the County, the scope of the services, or the terms and conditions of this Agreement, provided the changes do not increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation.
- The OMF Grants Office is authorized to perform all administrative matters in relation to the grant agreement or amendments, requests for reimbursement from the grantor, and to submit required online grant documents on the Mayor’s behalf.
Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because a delay would unnecessarily delay the City’s ability to perform the activities authorized by the grant; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
Governor Kotek authorized capital and operational funding for the Clinton Triangle Temporary Alternative Shelter Site (TASS, 140 emergency shelter beds) in her Oregon All In (OAI) Executive Order plan. That funding passes to the Multnomah County Multi-Agency Coordination Group and to the City of Portland (the entity building and operating the shelter site).
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has also voted to award Metro Supportive Housing Services funding for capital investment for additional Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites established by the intergovernmental agreement.
Oregon All In
The purpose of the OAI initiative is to increase state investments and strengthen the connection between state and local priorities in response to Oregon’s long-growing unsheltered homelessness crisis. On January 10, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in response to a 63% rise in homelessness since 2016.
Oregon’s Departments of Emergency Management (OEM) and Housing and Community Services (OHCS) have partnered to lead this work with the Office of the Governor. The initial priority in this crisis is to target funding in a coordinated, three-prong effort to (1) prevent homelessness for at least 8,750 households statewide, (2) increase shelter capacity in emergency areas by 600 units, and (3) rehouse at least 1,200 households statewide this year.
Through OAI, the Temporary Alternative Shelter Site temporary alternative shelter site (TASS) located at 1490 SE Gideon St., Portland, OR 97202, (the “Gideon Location”), will provide 140 low-barrier sleeping pods housing up to 180 people in a secure, staffed, and supportive shelter program (the “Location”). Through investment in the Location, the Parties intend to expand area low-barrier alternative shelter capacity, provide critical support services, and help unhoused Portlanders rapidly move back into stable housing.
Multnomah County MAC
Multnomah County’s newly created Multi-Agency Coordinating (MAC) group will implement OAI. A structure borrowed from emergency management practices, the interagency groups are tasked with acting urgently to prevent and reduce homelessness.
The Multnomah County MAC has committed to helping at least 1,500 households to keep their housing, adding 140 shelter beds across the community, and helping rehouse at least 275 people before January 2024. The Location will fulfill the Multnomah County MAC’s goal of adding 140 area shelter beds.
Metro Supportive Housing Services
In May 2020, voters in greater Portland approved Measure 26-210 to fund services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Metro now works with Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties to reduce homelessness through programs and services that help people find and keep safe and stable homes, Including emergency services such as outreach and shelter, and placement into housing.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
- Total project cost for site capital and operations for 6 months is $6,621,824, funded primarily with an Oregon All In grant.
- The grant number is MF000033.
- City will use Oregon All In grant funding to establish and operate the Temporary Alternative Shelter Site at 1490 SE Gideon St, Portland, OR.
- City has full control and discretion over any and all operations and administrations of the temporary alternative shelter sites (TASS), including but not limited to determining how funding will be budgeted for this temporary alternative shelter site.
- City will consult with County before making substantive modifications regarding the scope and breadth of activities and services that will be delivered at this temporary alternative shelter site.
- City’s obligation is $1,500,000 for capital site development at the Clinton Triangle TASS site.
- The City will use Metro’s Supportive Housing Services, which is $4,684,756, will be used for funding for capital investment for additional TASS sites established after the Effective Date.
- There is no additional funding requested.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
Each Temporary Alternative Shelter Site will serve up to approximately 250 chronically homeless individuals at any given time, per council resolution. Sites will provide safe shelter, as well as medical and behavioral health services, and navigation to housing. The service provider(s) will also have staff engaging with individuals in the perimeter areas and in the surrounding neighborhoods (offering services to unhoused residents, working with businesses and housed residents, etc.). The surrounding communities will also receive communication, provided feedback, and develop a Good Neighbor Agreement with the City of Portland.
100% Renewable Goal
Not applicable.
Financial and Budget Analysis
This legislation will increase grant revenue to the city of Portland by $11,306,583 with $6,621,827 coming from the state of Oregon as part of the OAI initiative and $4,684,756 coming from Metro SHS Funds. These funds will be dedicated towards capital site development and operations for TASS sites.