Governor’s Emergency Declaration – Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance

On January 10, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in response to a 63% rise in homelessness since 2016. Oregon’s Departments of Emergency Management (OEM) and Housing and Community Services (OHCS) have partnered to lead this work with the Office of the Governor.

The priority in this crisis is to target funding in a coordinated, three-pronged effort, with local targets:

1) prevent homelessness for at least 667 Marion-Polk region households,

2) increase low-barrier emergency shelter capacity by 79 new beds in the Marion-Polk region, and

3) rehouse at least 158 households in the Marion-Polk region this year.

The Oregon Housing and Community Services Department delivered $130,000,000 in funding to seven of Oregon’s Continuums of Care (CoCs) deemed emergency areas, with approximately $2.6 million for prevention going to the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, and $10.4 million going to the Alliance for new shelter beds and rehousing work in the Marion/Polk region. OEM and OHCS are leading this work and coordinating state agency support for local implementation.

Summary

Regional Plan

Local Grant Awards

Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) – Marion-Polk Region