Legislature Makes Major Investments to Increase Housing Affordability and Expand Treatment in Multnomah County

Monday, the Governor signed the Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package (Senate Bill 1530, Senate Bill 1537) into law. Between this package and other legislation signed recently, including the Oregon Drug Intervention Plan (House Bill 4002, House Bill 5204), lawmakers representing Multnomah County in the Oregon State Legislature are celebrating over $96 million in new funding to expand crisis stabilization and drug treatment services, develop more affordable housing, and improve water and sewer infrastructure that will pave the way for more housing development. 

“We need a comprehensive approach to address the crisis unfolding on our streets. The investments we’re making in peer to peer support and community-based treatment are what we need to do now to see the circumstances improve in the short-term and long-term,” said Rep. Hoa Nguyen (D–E Portland & Damascus). 

Major behavioral health projects secured by lawmakers include:

• Multnomah County Sobering and Drop Off Center in downtown Portland ($25 million) – HB 5204, SB 5701
• East Multnomah Outreach, Prevention, and Intervention program (EMOPI) for youth outreach services ($2.5 million) – HB 5204
• Adolescent substance use disorder residential and outpatient services through 4D Recovery ($4 million) – HB 5204
• Infrastructure improvements to support the construction of affordable housing in Gresham ($3 million) and Portland ($6 million) – SB 1530
• Homelessness prevention services through Urban League of Portland ($7 million) – SB 1530
• Culturally-responsive recovery housing:Sober housing for LGBTQ+ African Americans through Miracles Club MLK ($500,000) – SB 1530
• Sober Housing for African American Women through Miracles Club MLK ($500,000) – SB 1530
• Purchasing recovering housing to meet the needs of Native Americans through Painted Horse Recovery ($700,000) – SB 1530
• Expansion of Transcending Hope Next Steps Rapid Rehousing program serving the Latino community ($750,000) – SB 1530

“These investments are a major win for our communities. They are going to make a huge difference in our neighborhoods, working to make them safe and affordable for everyone who calls Multnomah County home,” said Sen. Chris Gorsek (D–Gresham). 

Multnomah County will also benefit from statewide investments aimed at improving connections between substance use disorder services and the criminal justice system.

• Grants to assist counties with setting up deflection programs that will connect Oregonians dealing with addiction to treatment services and prevent them from becoming involved in the criminal justice system ($30 million) – HB 5204
• More staff and coordination for drug courts to divert those already involved in the justice system to treatment ($9.7 million) – HB 5204