Local nonprofits lead cleanup efforts in greater Portland, beautifying the region and providing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and people who live in low-income housing.
$10 million in state funding, approved in a bill passed earlier this year, will be going out to state agencies, local governments, and nonprofits to pay for cleanups in highly visible public spaces
Funding for regional cleanups enabled the removal two sunken former military vessels, Alert and Sakarissa, from the Columbia River.
House Bill 5202, approved by the Oregon Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown, will send $10 million to the Metro region for clean-up of public spaces. The funding will give Metro even more tools to clean public spaces in the greater Portland region enhancing existing services and providing opportunities to explore new options. Metro’s RID Patrol has already cleaned over 1,400 sites in 2022, collecting an average of 3 tons of trash each day. Metro’s Regional Refresh Fund will continue to be a key mechanism to distribute funds as it focuses on supporting community-led efforts that promote livability and improve equity in garbage and recycling service.