HB 4013 – Modifies eligibility requirements for organizations that may receive grants from unaccompanied homeless youth grant program

Signed into law by Governor Brown on March 23, 2022 with an effective date of June 3, 2022.

February 8th Staff measure summary “Directs the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to establish a pilot program to assist school districts in preventing student homelessness with one-time housing assistance payments. Sunsets pilot January 2, 2023. Specifies criteria for organizations that provide services for unaccompanied homeless youth to be eligible for two-year grants from the Department of Human Services (DHS). Appropriates $437,500 to DHS for said grants. Expands tuition and fee waivers available for current and former foster youth, to include current and former homeless youth. Expands eligibility to access independent residence facilities currently available to unmarried persons, to include homeless youth, as defined, and appropriates $750,000 to DHS for this expansion. Appropriates $35,000 to DHS for grants to programs that assist homeless youth to apply for and access tuition and fee waivers and/or independent residence facilities. Directs DHS to include recommendations for legislation as specified and in consultation with Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), to reduce the numbers of youth experiencing homelessness by at least 25 percent over a five-year period, as part of an existing report to the legislature that is due September 15, 2022. Sunsets this additional reporting requirement January 2, 2023. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.”

The “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the legislative process on this item here.

HB 4123 – Requires Oregon Department of Administrative Services to provide grants for certain coordinated homeless response systems

Signed into law by Governor Brown on March 23, 2022.

Staff summary as of February “Directs the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to provide grants to local governments and nonprofit corporations to create a coordinated homeless response system, including a central office and point of contact, representative advisory board, and plans for coordination with any local continuum of care organization. Requires grant moneys be used for staffing, communication, community engagement, policy development and technical assistance efforts. Requires grantee to adopt, within one year, a five-year strategic plan addressing funding needs and goals for: increasing or streamlining resources for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the service area; incorporating national best practices; eliminating racial disparities within homeless services; and creating pathways to permanent and supportive housing. Requires grantees to report to the Housing Stability Council within Oregon Housing and Community Services, and one or more interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than November 15, 2023 and September 15, 2024 on the grantee’s adopted plan and related opportunities, challenges, and needs related to regional coordinated homeless services and planning. Directs each coordinated homeless response system to develop partnerships with certain local and regional stakeholders, including: homeless and housing service providers; legal aid; law enforcement; and other educational and social service providers. Appropriates $8 million from General Fund to DAS for the establishment of coordinated homeless response systems by the following jurisdictions, named partners and other parties to each grant agreement: $1 million to Benton County; $1 million to Coos County; $1 to Deschutes County; $1 million to Lincoln County; $1 million to the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council; $1 million to Polk County; $1 million to Tillamook County; and $1 million to Umatilla County. Repeals provisions of Act January 2, 2025. Declares emergency, effective upon passage.”

The “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the legislative process on this item here.

HB 4051 – Extends sunset of Task Force on Homelessness and Racial Disparities until January 2, 2026

Signed into law by Governor Brown on March 23, 2022.

Staff summary as of Feb 14 “Extends sunset date for Task Force on Homelessness and Racial Disparities to January 2, 2026. Directs Task Force to provide a report identifying implementation pathways for changes to the state’s funding structure, modifications for contracting processes, and solutions regarding eligibility and funding of services for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Directs Task Force to deliver reports to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2022 and March 31, 2023, and allows Task Force to deliver additional reports outside of the dates identified. Extends date, from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023, by which a local government must approve an application for development of land for an emergency shelter, subject to the terms and conditions provided by chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021. Clarifies that a local government shall allow affordable housing and may not require a zoning change or conditional use permit on property that is: owned either by a public body or nonprofit corporation organized as a religious corporation; or is zoned for commercial use, to allow religious assembly, or as public land. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.”

The website for the task force is here (accurate as of August 23, 2022).

The “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the legislative process on this item here.

SB 1539 – increasing access to schools by homeless students

“In committee upon adjournment” March 4, 2022.

Summary as of Feb 8 “Directs Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to establish pilot program that awards grants to school districts that have a significant population of homeless students. Specifies eligibility criteria. Requires ODE to select seven districts that will receive grants. Requires districts to report annually on uses of grant funds. Requires that grant moneys be sourced from Statewide Education Initiatives Account and to provide direct assistance to homeless students. Prescribes funding formula for distribution of grants based on average daily membership (ADM) of homeless students in districts. Requires ODE to report annually to interim legislative committees on uses of grant funds beginning November 1, 2022. Becomes operative July 1, 2022. Sunsets July 1, 2025. Requires ODE and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to jointly report to interim legislative committees on homeless student
demographics and uses of grant funds for 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 school years. Declares emergency, effective on passage.”

Establishes pilot program to provide funding to school districts for purposes of increasing access to schools by homeless students and improving academic achievement of homeless students.

The latest version can be found here. View the legislative process on this item here.