City Commissioner Nick Fish sent out the following press release outlining Mayor Sam Adams proposed budget concerning the Portland Housing Bureau.
As many of you know, Street Roots, 211info, the Oregon Opportunity Network, the Community Alliance of Tenants, JOIN and others have been advocating for sustaining $4.8 million dollars in one-time funding for housing and homeless services in the mayor's budget.
The mayor's budget is proposing allocating all but $700,000 of the $4.8 million dollars leaving out homeownership programs. Although Commissioner Fish has said he will work with partners to secure the full funding.
Look for more budget news from the city and county in the upcoming edition of Street Roots.
Read the entire press release below.
Today, Mayor Adams released his proposed budget. During this exceptionally difficult year, it includes approximately $4.1 million in one-time only General Fund support for the Portland Housing Bureau.
The proposed budget includes one-time funding for safety net programs, including:
• $1.7 million for Short Term Rent Assistance, our most effective tool to prevent eviction, keep families in their homes, and help people who have fallen into homelessness quickly find a home.
• $1.7 million for shelter and emergency services that offer a safe, warm escape from the street, especially during the cold winter months.
• $456,300 for information and referral services like the 211info hotline and Street Roots' Resource Guide, as well as services for low-income families facing discrimination or unsafe housing conditions, or struggling to find a home.
• $185,000 to fund operations at award-winning Bud Clark Commons, the cornerstone of our 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.
While this proposal supports basic services, it reflects a $700,000 reduction from PHB's proposed budget, which requested $4.8 million in one-time funding. We are also slated to take a 6.1% cut in ongoing General Fund support, roughly $385,000.
I appreciate Mayor Adams' steadfast commitment to our community's most vulnerable. He has been a champion of the safety net programs and services our partners provide to those in need.
I will work with my Council colleagues to identify alternatives which will allow us to fully fund PHB's $4.8 million one-time request and continue to help struggling Portlanders.
Thanks to our community partners and the many people who stepped up to advocate for the safety net in this year's budget.
Sincerely,
Nick Fish