Mayor Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and community partners unveiled their roadmap for the Homelessness Response Action Plan concept announced in December 2023 during a news conference on Monday, March 11.
"The Homelessness Response Action Plan is more than a collection of goals, it's a commitment to tackle homelessness with measurable outcomes, meaningful data and an unprecedented focus on behavioral health," said Mayor Wheeler. "Portlanders have rightly demanded action from their elected leaders, and the implementation of this plan will result in a more effective and unified strategy to address the homelessness crisis."
Other speakers included Mindy Stadtlander, CEO of Healthshare; Dr. Bruce Goldberg, professor at OHSU-PSU School of Public Health; Andy Mendenhall, CEO and president of Central City Concern; Margaret Salazar, CEO of ReachCDC; Felisa Hagins, executive director of SEIU Oregon State Council.
The Homelessness Response Action Plan is a path to provide more people with safer options off our streets that meet their needs. It will strengthen and refocus existing systems of care to better ensure that when someone leaves their tent or shelter bed for a home, they can remain in that home. The plan emphasizes work to address racial disparities in homelessness. And it commits to providing clear and expanded access to the range of services someone needs to leave homelessness or never have to experience it in the first place.
Learn more here.
Provide feedback
This plan is not yet final, and it requires the input of those closest to the challenge. We are seeking feedback on the plan between now and March 29, 2024. You can send your feedback and ideas to HRAPfeedback@multco.us. Feedback from homeless and housing service providers, community members and stakeholders will help shape the plan before it is finalized. The plan will also change over time as we identify new issues, set new goals, adjust expectations and continuously work toward addressing homelessness.
There will also be two virtual town halls where members of the community and service providers can learn more about the plan and share feedback.
- Service provider virtual town hall: March 18, noon to 1 p.m. Sign up here.
- Community virtual town hall (open to the public): March 21, 7-8 p.m. Sign up here.