Multnomah County will adopt the next year’s budget on June 4th. Commissioners have introduced amendments to the Chair’s proposed budget to change the spending. You can make sure the amendments pass, and vital services get funded. Welcome Home is supporting the amendments below. We encourage you to click below and send your messages of support!
‘Yes’ to Increased Investments in Job Support Programs
In 2025, Welcome Home released the Finding Home Report, capturing the feedback of over 650 people experiencing homelessness in our region. For those able to work, the message was loud and clear: expanded job training and opportunities are essential to stable housing. Commissioner Singleton’s budget amendment package invests $6 million in apprentice and training programs and low-barrier employment programs.
‘Yes’ to Staff Support at Apartment Buildings
We also hear from tenants in rent-subsidized housing that there is not enough staff on-site at apartment buildings to support them. Moving from homelessness to housing is a huge transition, and people deserve to have caring professionals to turn to for in-person support. Commissioner Singleton’s budget amendment package ensures $870,000 of our tax dollars are invested in on-site staff to offer support services to tenants experiencing chronic housing instability.
‘Yes’ to Investing in Gresham Homeless Services
With a tight budget, we must prioritize programs that have a proven track record. Last year, the City of Gresham Homeless Services housed 79 households with its county funding, which amounts to an average of $17,000/year per household. This is an efficient use of public funds. Further, Gresham residents, on average, have lower incomes than Portland Residents, leaving them more vulnerable to housing instability. To lead with equity, the county must fund working-class and less-resourced areas. Commissioner Jones-Dixon’s budget amendment ensures $1.3 million of our tax dollars are invested in Homeless Support Specialists to conduct outreach and connect unhoused neighbors with shelter, housing, and other support services.
These amendments put more funding back into the programs that have proven to address housing instability. You can ensure essential services are funded by the county by clicking the link below! It takes less than two minutes to make an impact on the livability of Multnomah County!