February 7, 2024 2:50 a.m.

Governor Tina Kotek says that the state exceeded its goals for the Homelessness State of Emergency.

A release from the Governor’s Office said following the signing of Executive Order 23-02 and the passage of House Bill 5019 to fund resources for the executive order:

*1,047 low-barrier shelter beds were created, surpassing the original goal of 447 beds.

*1,833 households experiencing unsheltered homelessness were rehoused, exceeding the original goal by 633 households.

*8,993 households were prevented from experiencing homelessness, exceeding the original goal by 243 households.

Kotek said, “This work was made possible through an unprecedented collaboration between state leaders, state agencies, local government and communities”. Kotek said, “It’s more evidence that when we set targeted, ambitious goals and then work together to achieve them, we get results. But while it is good news, we have more work to do. Through the creation of regional multi-agency coordination groups that worked with O HCS to implement this emergency funding, we now have the infrastructure in place to keep up the pace on fixing this crisis”.

The release said on January 9th, Governor Kotek signed Executive Order 24-02 to maintain the added capacity to the state’s shelter system, rehouse people experiencing homelessness and prevent homelessness. Measurable outcomes for the new order will be developed in collaboration with local communities based on need and capacity and will be announced by the end of February.