Homelessness Crisis in the Portland Area
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in an Oregon case concerning homeless camps in West Coast cities. Portland area spent over half a billion dollars fighting homelessness last year, with a 70% increase from the year before. Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties spent $531 million on homelessness interventions in fiscal year 2023.
Key Points
- Portland area spent over half a billion dollars fighting homelessness last year
- Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties spent $531 million on homelessness interventions in fiscal year 2023
- Discrepancy in outcomes among the counties in addressing homelessness
Pros
- Increased funding for homeless interventions
- Focus on providing temporary shelter and housing support
- Efforts to address homelessness on a regional level
Cons
- Continued growth in homelessness despite increased spending
- Challenges in tracking the effectiveness of spending
- Disparity in outcomes among different counties