PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is expected to address the ongoing homelessness crisis as parts of the state continue their struggle to house unsheltered residents.
In Multnomah County, data recently revealed that at least 5,400 people county-wide had secured new housing in Fiscal Year 2024 — which ran from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 28, 2024.
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This number represented a 21% increase in Mulntomah County residents who were placed in housing , according to the Joint Office of Homeless Services. The previous fiscal year saw roughly 4,200 housing placements.
That announcement followed the City of Portland and Multnomah County’s recent decision to continue funding the joint office with the hope of cutting the homeless population in half within two years.
However, the agreement also granted city leaders the ability to opt out of the agreement if there is not enough progress by October 2024, giving the JOHS six weeks to prove the efficacy of their work.