Portland City Council considers ending partnership with Multnomah County to tackle homelessness
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Portland City Council is reconsidering its partnership with Multnomah County to tackle homelessness, a move that Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson called "disappointing."
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During a Portland City Council meeting on Wednesday, three city commissioners signaled potentially ending their agreement with the county's Joint Office of Homeless Services in favor of a fresh approach. However, Portland Mayor and fellow City Commissioner Ted Wheeler was not at the meeting. He later remarked about it on social media, deriding the apparent move from other city commissioners to potentially step away from the partnership as "shortsighted."
The city pulling out from the agreement is far from decided at this point as not every city commissioner is on board with the idea and a few more steps in the process are needed to make it happen.
In July, the city council voted to continue collaborating with the county to address the crisis that people experiencing homelessness in Portland face, such as not having secure housing or access to essential services.
Part of the inter-governmental agreement stated the city would provide $31 million to JOHS over three years. The county and city also agreed upon the shared goal of cutting the number of unsheltered people in half within two years.
But just three months after that agreement was passed by city commissioners, they're now voicing tensions over the collaboration and funding issues.
"I think it's time to hit the reset button in this relationship," said Portland City Commissioner Mingus Mapps. "I'd like to continue to work with the county. However, I think that the model we have on the table is flawed."
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The city council is now considering ending the three-year partnership with the county. Many city commissioners expressed frustrations in a two-hour meeting Wednesday.
"There's just no reason to keep this joint office limping along with these types of conversations, we should be focused on action and results," said Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan.
If the city council votes to end the partnership, they must give a 90-day notice to the county to start winding things down. However, significant questions remain about how to move forward without the county.
"I do feel like we still do need to see this through, we still need each other," said Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio. "We are always going to be intertwined so for me the idea of the IGA helps give us a table."
The current agreement aims for a more transparent system with new oversight committees to track progress. But some city commissioners feel change isn't moving fast enough.
"The steering committee has some value. It's just not solving all the problems we were hoping for, in the time frame we were looking for," said Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzales.
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The city attorney promised to have a draft prepared by the end of the week.
On Wednesday, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson called the city's move a "stunt." She said it won't distract the county from focusing on sheltering, housing and supporting everyone in the community.
Below is Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson's entire statement about the meeting.
"The majority of City Council says they don't want to work with the County to end homelessness – the number one issue our community cares about. That is the opposite of responsible leadership. When I'm faced with hard problems I dive in and try to make the decision that will help the most people. It's clear these officials – candidates desperately vying for your vote this month – have their eyes on their own future and not our collective one. Disappointing.
"This stunt does not and will not change the actual work we're focused on at the County to shelter, house, and support everyone in our community for a safer and better Multnomah County."
Below is the entire statement from Mayor Ted Wheeler, via a post on X , about the meeting:
"The city approved the intergovernmental agreement with [Multnomah County] just 105 days ago. Terminating this agreement would be shortsighted.
"The city and county have distinct responsibilities in addressing homelessness and mental/behavioral health. The public demands our cooperation to effectively tackle this humanitarian crisis. Portlanders living on the streets need comprehensive care, including shelter, access to behavioral health and substance use disorder services, and navigation to permanent housing. The city cannot address this crisis alone and we should not abandon our progress due to impatience."
