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.