September 13, 2023 3:40 a.m.

On Tuesday, Governor Tina Kotek announced funding allocations to counties within Oregon’s Balance of State Continuum of Care as part of her homelessness state of emergency, as well as specific outcomes attached to these dollars.

The funding comes from House Bill 5019. Among other allocations, it included $26.1 million to rehouse people experiencing unsheltered homelessness by adding at least 100 new shelter beds and rehousing at least 450 households by June 30, 2025.

Kotek said, “Homelessness is a crisis in both urban and rural communities throughout Oregon”. Kotek believes the funding, tied to specific outcomes, will make a measurable impact in addressing the crisis in rural Oregon. Kotek said, “And we can’t stop here – I will keep pushing for concrete solutions that will support community needs going forward”.

26 counties are included in the allocation. It includes $1.4 million to rehouse at least 34 households in Douglas County.

Communities established 16 Local Planning Groups with designated leads to coordinate and create a plan to achieve the outcomes. These groups are made up of experts from local governments, non-profits and people with lived experiences of homelessness. These groups will be responsible for the implementation of funds to help move individuals and families into housing stability.

Local Planning Groups submitted 29 shelter projects for consideration, with a total request of over $37 million.

See all the allocations at www.541radio.com

• Baker, Grant, Union and Wallowa counties: $1.2 million to rehouse at least 33 households
• Benton County: $2.4 million to add at least 50 shelter beds and rehouse at least 31 households
• Clatsop County: $3.8 million to add at least 80 shelter beds and rehouse at least 33 households
• Columbia County: $867,453 to rehouse at least 20 households
• Coos County: $1.9 million to add at least 8 shelter beds and rehouse at least 32 households
• Curry County: $594,000 to rehouse at least 14 households
• Douglas County: $1.4 million to rehouse at least 34 households
• Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla and Wheeler counties: $2.1 million to add at least 25 shelter beds and rehouse at least 40 households
• Harney and Malheur counties: $1.3 million to rehouse at least 34 households
• Hood River, Sherman and Wasco and counties: $1.9 million to add at least 34 shelter beds and rehouse at least 29 households
• Josephine County: $2 million to add at least 16 shelter beds and rehouse at least 31 households
• Klamath and Lake counties: $1.4 million to rehouse at least 38 households
• Lincoln County: $856,178 to add at least 70 shelter beds and rehouse at least 16 households
• Linn County: $1.9 million to add at least 30 shelter beds and rehouse at least 32 households
• Tillamook County: $769,404 to add at least 20 shelter beds and rehouse at least 12 households
• Yamhill County: $1.3 million to add at least 14 shelter beds and rehouse at least 21 households