Supportive housing services: Addressing homelessness in greater Portland | Metro

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Rising housing costs and stagnant wages have led to a housing crisis and increased homelessness. Thanks to voters, funds are now available to support housing access and stability for people across greater Portland.

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Nicole in her Beaverton home.

Common questions

Visit our FAQ for answers to come of the most commonly asked questions about the supportive housing services fund.

Common questions

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Read "My place in the world"

"My place in the world: Lives transformed by Metro's supportive housing services fund" tells the story of the the programming the fund has made possible across greater Portland in its first twenty-one months. Stories of case workers, programs, and people whose lives have been changed through this work illustrate the transformative impact of this votor-approved measure.

Read "My place in the world"

Metro Housing video

Watch a short video that explains the mission of Metro's supportive housing services fund and housing bond, and how they work together to address homelessness across greater Portland.

Metro Housing video

Children playing on a grass mound in front of dark blue multifamily housing

Learn more about affordable housing

Affordable housing bond

In November 2018, voters in greater Portland approved a measure that funds creation of nearly 4,000 new affordable homes – enough to house around 12,000 people across the Portland metro region. Learn how the affordable housing bond program partners with cities and counties to make this housing a reality.

Learn more about affordable housing

In May 2020, voters in greater Portland approved Measure 26-210 to fund services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Thanks to voters, Metro now works with Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties to reduce homelessness through programs and services that help people find and keep safe and stable homes. These include but are not limited to:

Emergency services such as outreach and shelter
Placement into housing
Help paying rent (both emergency and long-term rent assistance)
Advocacy and case management
Services in the areas of mental health, physical health, language and culture needs, education, employment, addiction and recovery, tenant rights and others.

See page 21 of the Supportive Housing Services Program Work Plan for a detailed list of services the fund supports. The fund also strengthens and expands the systems that deliver these services.

As the programming supported by the fund grows, community members can expect:

Thousands more people will be living in permanent housing each year
People of color will have better access to services that meet their needs, and will retain permanent housing at higher rates than their representation in the homeless population
Thousands of households will get help to avoid losing their homes in the first place
For most people who experience homelessness, it will be brief and only once
More services will be available in areas that have been underserved
Overall, fewer people will be living outside.

Goals for the 10-year fund are to connect 5,000 homeless households with permanent supportive housing and stabilize 10,000 households at risk of or experiencing homelessness in permanent housing. The counties' goals for each fiscal year can be found in their Annual Work Plans.

Wherever we come from, whoever we are, everyone deserves safe and stable housing.

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Annual work plans

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