OMA Taskforce on Homelessness

OMA & LOC Release Briefing Book Supporting Direct Funding for Homelessness

The Oregon Mayors Association (OMA) and League of Oregon Cities (LOC) have produced a briefing book to support direct funding to cities to address and prevent homelessness. This publication champions a proposal developed by the OMA Homelessness Taskforce last October.

The OMA proposal recommends a strong partnership between the state and Oregon’s 241 cities. It proposes a direct annual allocation to each city equivalent to $40 per resident, with no city receiving less than $50,000, to be used by cities in their efforts to humanely and rapidly address and prevent homelessness. In addition to the direct annual funding, many cities have identified capital projects that require additional funding to stand up needed shelters, food banks, hygiene stations, and affordable housing projects. The direct annual allocation to each city equates to approximately $130 million per year, and the total capital allocation request equals $170 million.

The briefing book provides details of the proposal, includes answers to frequently asked questions about the proposal, summarizes all specific capital requests, and includes information on more than 100 cities’ specific and unique challenges and solutions to addressing and preventing homelessness.

Hard copies of the briefing book will be distributed to Governor Kotek and legislative leadership. An electronic copy of the briefing book is available here. 

Watch Now - OMA Taskforce on Homelessness Funding Proposal Media Briefing (October 31, 2022)