Portland's Potential For New Budget Allocation To Combat Homeless Crisis

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Current Focus

The macroeconomic climate in America holds much uncertainty for the future. When exploring individual aspects of the American economy, rising living cost across the nation are a main focus. Specifically in Portland, OR, research finds that high living cost and housing shortages are directly correlated with an increase in the cities homeless population. As overall prices continue to fluctuate on essential goods, living cost in Portland continue to increase even with broad based economic uncertainty. This could be a strong indicator that homelessness may increase within the city if action is not taken.


Portland’s city government faces many obstacles in their attempt to reduce housing costs. The lack of housing for a growing population remains a strong indication of why living costs may be high in the Portland market. Prices have been exacerbated by Covid-19 as American citizens now live in an inflationary environment making shelter even harder to come by. Those who are found in the midst of the Portland housing crisis that are unable to afford the high costs can find themselves experiencing some short of homelessness. Data from Multnomah County indicates that a total of 6,297 people were experiencing homelessness. 3,944 of which were unsheltered, 1,821 homeless with shelter, and 532 in transitional housing. 

What can the government do to combat high living costs to reduce the future potential of homeless rates increasing in Portland?

Steps have been taken in an attempt to stabilize and even reduce housing cost and homelessness throughout Portland. Political approvals for rent control and budget proposals (not official laws/ official budget) have been announced by city officials to meet high housing demand and combat an increasing homeless population. Nearly 140,000 new housing units have been proposed along with permanent supportive housing. Rent vouches and increased shelters for temporary housing have also been addressed by city officials. Oregon is currently drafting frameworks for 2023- 2025 budget allocations. 


According to the Oregon State Legislature, Oregon is expected to have $27.3 billion in funds for 2023-2025. Allocation proposals going toward homelessness and the housing shortage have come in as high as one third of the total budget. This would include funding to build permanent and temporary housing while simultaneously increasing funding toward housing assistance programs, social programs, and governmental assistance programs for Portland’s homeless. Below are budget allocations (2021-2023) from Oregon Secretary of State which could prove to be vastly different in the upcoming year.




What can be done in the mean time to find temporary and permanent housing for Portland’s homeless?


Shelter and homeless services are available for individuals experiencing homelessness. Multnomah 

County provides resources for Portland’s homeless at 211info.org or dialing 211. The county provides 

different housing options for the unsheltered including temporary to permanent housing along with the 

potential for governmental assistance programs. While other counties have identical programs, this is an 

incredible first step in obtaining shelter throughout Multnomah County.




Written by: Keegan Wesley



2023-25 co-chair Budget Framework March 2023 - Oregon Legislative Assembly. (n.d.). https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lfo/JWM%20Documents/2023-25%20Co-Chair%20Budget%20Framework.pdf 

News release: Chronic homelessness number falls across tri-county region in 2023 point in time count. Multnomah County. (2023, May 10). https://www.multco.us/multnomah-county/news/news-release-chronic-homelessness-number-falls-across-tri-county-region-2023 

Homelessness statistics. Resources RSS. (n.d.). https://www.portlandoregon.gov/toolkit/article/562207 

VanderHart, D. (2023, March 24). Budget writers unveil a no-frills plan for Oregon’s next 2 years. OPB. https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/23/budget-proposal-oregon-steiner-sanchez-kotek/ 

Dake, L. (2023, July 28). Oregon gov. Tina Kotek approves billions to be spent on housing crisis. OPB. https://www.opb.org/article/2023/07/27/oregon-housing-assistance-tina-kotek-bills-signed/ 

Oregon secretary of State. State of Oregon: Blue Book - Government Finance: State Government. (n.d.-a). https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/facts/finance-state.aspx#:~:text=These%20funds%20are%20known%20as,2021%20LAB%20of%20%24112.5%20billion. (Photo) 

Shelter and homeless services. Multnomah County. (n.d.). https://www.multco.us/dd/shelter-and-homeless-      

  services#:~:text=Visiting%20211info.org%20%2C%20emailing%20help,availability%20and%20wait%20list%20status. 



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