PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — As a simmering battle brews between Portland city leaders and the head of the Multnomah County commission over different approaches to the homeless crisis, Mayor Ted Wheeler said he wants to stick with the current agreement.
Three of the five Portland City Council members want out of the partnership with the county on handling the problem. But Wheeler told KOIN 6 News he wants to “stick with the plan we’ve got that took more than a year to reach agreement, and improve on what’s already in place.”
Portland City Council considers ending partnership with Multnomah County to tackle homelessness
He said the agreement for the city and county working together has a goal of reducing homelessness by 50% at the end of 2025 and there are hundreds of specific actions to do that. The mayor also pointed out the county is cooperating with the city and putting millions of dollars into the city’s shelter programs.
On social media, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson called the move by Commissioners Mapps, Gonzalez and Ryan “disappointing” and a “stunt.” Mapps and Gonzalez are both running for mayor, while Ryan is running for re-election.