Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek has announced that Malheur County meets the criteria to be included in the Homelessness State of Emergency she declared on her first day in office, January 10, 2023.

“Malheur County has an overwhelming rate of unsheltered homeless people who need a leg up through shelter and services,” Malheur County Judge Dan Joyce, who helped advance their emergency declaration, said. “I am grateful the Governor has recognized this need and is answering our call for help in Eastern Oregon.”

Governor Kotek made the decision to include Malheur County in the emergency order and notified the county with a letter after Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) reviewed county data and determined that Malheur County meets the criteria for inclusion in Kotek's emergency order:

• On March 8, 2023, the Malheur County Board of Commissioners declared a local state of emergency related to homelessness



• The number of unsheltered people in Malheur County was 141 in 2022, which exceeds the minimum threshold of 30 households experiencing unsheltered homelessness



• The share of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Malheur County is 83%, which exceeds the minimum threshold of a rate of unsheltered homelessness of 80% or greater

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Malheur County marks the second county added to the emergency declaration so far, preceded by Clatsop County.

Oregon Democrats are of course proposing even more spending, such as House Bill 5019, which includes $27.4 million to be spent on homeless services. The bill passed the Oregon State House on March 15.

What kind of results are we seeing following all of this spending on homeless services?


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-03-18 09:50:00

Last Update: 2023-03-18 10:17:48