Multnomah County to resume distribution of tent, tarps as winter approaches

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – With winter weather around the corner, Multnomah County has unveiled its first draft policy on distributing tents and tarps to the homeless.

Some county commissioners said the policy proposed on Tuesday fails to address previous tent and tarp distribution issues and lacks accountability. Others argue that, until we have enough shelter, these items are needed to save lives.

The cost for tents in 2025 is estimated at $230,000 to cover 6,500 tents. Once these tents are available, Julia Comnes with the county said the Joint Office of Homeless Services will resume distribution.

"The Joint Office stopped distributing tents temporarily when existing inventory ran out," Comnes said. "The Joint Office has ordered new tents under the interim tents/tarps policy, and will resume distribution in line with that policy once those tents arrive."

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But the new draft policy comes after the city and county put a pause on the hand-outs back in June following backlash from city leaders and community members alike. It also led to a lawsuit filed against the City of Portland .

Last year, the county said they gave out more than 6,000 tents and 24,000 tarps — but city leaders publicly expressed frustration being left to clean up the mess .

The policy presented on Tuesday calls on the county to resume providing tents and tarps to nonprofits to give to the homeless under new stipulations, including:

One tent per person and only for those without

Nonprofits must also agree to give shelter referrals

Instructions on how to comply with laws and regulations

Discouraging use on sidewalks or other public lands

However, the draft policy fails to outline where people can camp.

"We're putting people in a situation where there is not place for them to camp, yet we're providing them a tent," Commissioner Lori Stegmann said.

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Meanwhile, Dan Field, the director with the Joint Office of Homeless Services, said, "This is an attempt to create a balanced policy that acknowledges that while people are sleeping on our streets, they may need the protection of tents and tarps provide."

After the presentation, Commissioner Sharon Meieran called it "a slap dash, incoherent presentation that did not provide any information about any kind of policy around tents and tarps."

Instead, Meieran said the focus should be on the county's own accountability.

"We need to minimize the harm coming to people, the threat to their lives and safety and health, while being accountable for what we're giving out what the impact is," she said.

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It's possible Multnomah County may resume distribution this month. KOIN 6 News asked officials whether a date has been set, but we have yet to hear back.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.