Oregon to Spend $205 Million on Statewide Shelters as Trump Signs Order to ‘Get the Homeless Off Our Streets’
As Oregon dedicates $205 million for the launch of a statewide shelter program, President Donald Trump signs an executive order to ‘get the homeless off our streets.’
President Trump Gives Local Governments the Authority to Take Action Against the Homeless
President Trump has paved the way for local governments to take action against people living on the streets, and his promise of grants to proactive cities should create a chain reaction of increased arrests and illegal camp clear-ups throughout the country.
Trump’s directive empowers the Attorney General to reverse procedures that shackle local governments from taking action against the homeless.
On Tuesday, a White House fact sheet revealed that on one night, 274,224 people were living on the streets during the Biden administration’s term.
Meanwhile, Trump’s latest executive order does ensure that treatment will be provided to homeless people suffering from addiction and/or mental illness.
Trump Dangles Cash As the Carrot
Once again, the federal government has dangled cash as the carrot, saying that it will prioritize grants to states that enforce drug use restrictions and take actions against urban squatting, camping, and loitering. Funds will also be granted to states that register sex offender locations.
On Thursday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed a bill that will establish the state’s first permanent shelter program. It will operate under the umbrella of the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS).
Kotek Reshapes the Landscape of Care For the Homeless
Kotek has reshaped the landscape of caring for people living on the streets with a bill that guarantees permanent funding for shelters throughout the state for at least the next two years. No longer will the OHCS have to rely on short-term funding to provide its many housing and shelter programs.
The bulk of the funding – 70% – will finance shelters, with the balance used to support recovery shelters.
Oregon will be divided into regions supervised by coordinators who will evaluate local needs to instigate shelter plans. The regional coordinators will also be responsible for distributing funds. The positions will be filled by representatives of nonprofit organizations or a local government department.
Shelters will operate throughout the year, and beds will be allocated to those assessed to be in the greatest need.
A deadline of January 1, 2026, has been set for the OHCS to formulate a funding formula and selection process, with regional coordinators appointed by May 1, 2026.