Work Session-Joint City/County Homelessness to Housing Continuum - 2026-02-17
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
This joint work session between Portland City Council and Multnomah County focused on clarifying roles and responsibilities in the homelessness response system amid significant fiscal constraints. No votes were taken as this was a discussion-only session. Key themes included the need to shift from coordination to consolidation, with general agreement that the city should focus on housing production ('bricks and sticks') and eviction prevention while the county leads on shelter operations and services. Staff reported that the county's requested budget includes closing approximately 775 shelter units to redirect funds toward housing placement programs.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Staff indicated that 84% of people placed in permanent supportive housing remain housed two years later, demonstrating program effectiveness but noting need for greater scale.
Housing Demand
Eviction filings reached all-time highs with over 2,500 evictions filed statewide in January 2025, with Multnomah County representing 40-60% of state evictions.
Sentiment
City councilors expressed strong support for social housing acquisition strategy to control costs, with Councilor Green advocating for the city to become 'price maker not price taker' in the rental market.
Infrastructure
The county's overnight shelter system and city's emergency shelter program collectively provide approximately 1,500+ adult shelter beds, with the county planning to close approximately 775 units due to budget constraints.
Housing Demand
Average cost per unit of permanent supportive housing for adults is approximately $36,000-$38,000 annually.