In a recent government meeting, officials provided updates on the Homelessness Response Action Plan (HRAP), highlighting early progress and outlining the framework for addressing homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County. The meeting featured key speakers, including Michael Jordan, Portland's interim city administrator, and Travis Graves, the interim COO of Multnomah County.

The HRAP, which was finalized and adopted in August, aims to tackle homelessness through a systemic approach that emphasizes collaboration across various sectors, including health, public safety, and housing services. The plan is structured around nine core goal areas, encompassing a total of 120 action items, each assigned to specific responsible parties with deadlines for completion.

One of the primary objectives of the HRAP is to shelter or house 27,100 individuals by the end of 2025, which represents half of those experiencing unsheltered homelessness as of January 2024. Additionally, the plan seeks to increase exits from shelters to permanent housing by 15% and maintain a retention rate of at least 75% in permanent supportive housing two years post-placement.

The governance of the HRAP is facilitated through a collaborative infrastructure established by an intergovernmental agreement, which includes three committees: the steering and oversight committee, the implementation committee, and the community advisory committee. These committees are tasked with monitoring progress, identifying community needs, and driving the implementation of the action plan.

The implementation committee, which has met monthly since April, plays a crucial role in addressing barriers and ensuring the action items are executed effectively. The community advisory committee is set to convene soon, while the steering committee has already held multiple meetings to assess progress and adjust goals as necessary.

As the meeting concluded, officials expressed their commitment to transparency and community engagement, inviting further discussion and questions from attendees to foster a collaborative effort in addressing homelessness in the region.