Portland, Multnomah County announce Homelessness Response Action Plan

Mayor Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and community partners unveil their roadmap for the Homelessness Response Action Plan concept announced in December 2023 during a news conference on Monday, March 11.

"The Homelessness Response Action Plan is more than a collection of goals, it's a commitment to tackle homelessness with measurable outcomes, meaningful data and an unprecedented focus on behavioral health," said Mayor Wheeler. "Portlanders have rightly demanded action from their elected leaders, and the implementation of this plan will result in a more effective and unified strategy to address the homelessness crisis."

Other speakers included Mindy Stadtlander, CEO of Healthshare; Dr. Bruce Goldberg, professor at OHSU-PSU School of Public Health; Andy Mendenhall, CEO and president of Central City Concern; Margaret Salazar, CEO of ReachCDC; Felisa Hagins, executive director of SEIU Oregon State Council

The Homelessness Response Action Plan is a path to provide more people with safer options off our streets that meet their needs. It will strengthen and refocus existing systems of care to better ensure that when someone leaves their tent or shelter bed for a home, they can remain in that home. The plan emphasizes work to address racial disparities in homelessness. And it commits to providing clear and expanded access to the range of services someone needs to leave homelessness or never have to experience it in the first place.

Learn more here.