Many community members are interested in learning more and giving feedback about the proposed Shelter to Housing Continuum (S2HC) code change.
On March 31, City Council voted on several amendments. You can read the S2HC amendment packages from March 31 here. Watch that session here.
The recommended draft documents can be found at https://www.portland.gov/bps/s2hc/documents.
City Council also held a public hearing on the proposed code change on March 17 and March 24. The presentation slides delivered at the March 17 council session can be found here. City Council published a press release about the March 24 session, linked below.
On Wednesday, April 14 the remaining two amendments—2.2 and 3.1—will be heard and voted upon. These amendments pertain to shelter on institutional sites in single-dwelling zones and allowing residential occupancy of RVs and tiny houses on wheels.
City Council wants to hear from constituents. To testify at the City Council on these two amendments, register by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13. The deadline for written testimony is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14.
Background
In February 2019 when the Housing State of Emergency was last extended, City Council directed the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) to work in coordination with partner bureaus and the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) to develop a legislative proposal to amend City Code to allow for permanent siting of shelters, alternative shelter, temporary housing, and other related tools that the 2015 Housing State of Emergency provided.
This project is the culmination of two years of research, coordination among City bureaus, and engagement with community experts to codify the practical tools afforded by the existing Housing State of Emergency that:
Doubled the number of year-round shelter beds;
Expanded and integrated alternative village-style shelters into the shelter system;
Reduced barriers to serving residents who are disparately harmed by severe weather by allowing for seasonal, temporary shelter; and
Brought shelters directly to neighborhoods, serving people living in those areas a safe place to sleep and access to the same kinds of amenities as people in housing, including libraries, transit lines, medical offices, and grocery stores.
S2HC would remove barriers in the zoning code to ensure existing and future shelters—both temporary and permanent—can continue to be embedded into the community, across the City, reaching people where they are.
For more information, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability has compiled a Frequently Asked Questions article here. And, you can sign up to receive emailed updates about S2HC here.