A Voter-Approved, Regional Approach to Solving Homelessness
Supportive Housing Services (SHS) Measure
Background
In May 2020, voters in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties approved the Metro Supportive Housing Services Measure 26-210, which introduced two new taxes that raise about $250 million annually to fund solutions to homelessness.
The measure funds services across the region that address chronic and short-term homelessness by providing permanent supportive housing, shelter, outreach, behavioral health services and other supports, while also meeting Metro’s requirements for addressing racial disparities.
A Deep Dive
Why is this important?
Thanks to voters’ historic investment, SHS has provided our communities with a truly regional set of resources and strategies to reduce homelessness. Ten-year regionwide program goals are:
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Connect 5,000 chronically homeless households with supportive housing
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Build new outreach teams to expand capacity
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Stabilize 10,000 households experiencing or at risk of homelessness in permanent housing
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Expand the network of culturally specific service providers
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Regularly update regional data and graphics
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Increase shelter capacity and access
Services provided
The SHS Measure funds several programs and services. These include:
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Emergency services, such as outreach and shelter
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Housing placement
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Rent assistance (both emergency and long-term)
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Advocacy and case management
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Language and cultural support
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Physical, mental and behavioral health services
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Education and employment assistance
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Tenant rights and legal services
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Addiction and recovery assistance
Racial equity
Metro’s Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion guides all SHS work. We center racial equity because people of color in our region experience disproportionately high rates of homelessness and often face barriers to accessing services. Our work also addresses barriers experienced by other marginalized and underserved groups, like people with disabilities, people who are LGBTQIA2S+, women, older adults, young people, and people with low incomes.
With Supportive Housing Services:
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Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) will be served at higher rates than the general population (due to systemic racism, discrimination, and being disproportionately impacted by the homelessness crisis). SHS will show equal or better outcomes for BIPOC compared to the general population to account for and correct racial disparities.
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BIPOC community members will receive culturally specific, affirming and effective services across the region, and we will continue to expand and improve outreach and language access to improve outcomes for people of color.
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Communities of color shape the programs. SHS engages with communities of color in planning every program stage. We aim to prevent experiences of racism in homelessness, housing and social services, and provide just, equitable, safe and stable housing for everyone.
Measurable Impacts of our Work
In partnership with agencies, service providers and community-based organizations, the work of the JOHS delivers measurable impacts, including preventing homelessness and moving more of our neighbors out of homelessness and into permanent, stable housing, in addition to receiving wraparound support and retention services as needed.
See where the JOHS is allocating funding in programs and services and data on the progress we’re making to address the homelessness crisis in our region.
