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Oregon Triples Down on Rent Assistance and Supportive Housing as 3,000 Residents Seek Help Monthly Top Stories By Lucille McNamara On Nov 27, 2025 Last updated Nov 27, 2025 FILE - Portland, Oregon. Everyone deserves safe and stable housing, says Metro Supportive Housing Services (SHS) in its recently released annual report. The organization collaborates with Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties to reduce homelessness through programs and services that provide safe and stable homes. During the 2024-25 financial year, SHS prevented 1,500 people from homelessness in Clackamas County, 700 in Multnomah County, and in Washington County, 812 households were provided with permanent, supportive housing, or rapid rehousing. Homelessness is Fueled by Rising Housing Costs and Stagnant Wages SHS says that rising housing costs and stagnant wages are responsible for increased homelessness, with more than 3,000 people every month seeking homeless services. Oregon Homeless Population Trend (2010–2024) Homeless numbers in Oregon have nearly doubled over 15 years, reflecting rising housing costs and limited shelter capacity. 2010 13,709 2012 16,566 2014 17,181 2016 13,176 2018 14,476 2020 14,655 2022 17,959 2023 18,977 2024 20,000 est. ▲ +46% since 2010 2025 values pending federal PIT release — estimated trajectory continues upward. dailytidings.com However, the organization’s 10-year goal is to connect 5,000 homeless households with permanent supportive housing and to stabilize 10,000 households at risk of homelessness into permanent housing. How Many Oregonians Received Housing Assistance? State-supported rental & homelessness programs have scaled rapidly since 2020 as need surged across the state. 2020 ≈ 35,200 people COVID rental relief peak 2021 ≈ 42,600 people Funds expanded statewide 2022 ≈ 48,900 people Emergency shelters added 2023 ≈ 53,400 people Record allocation year 2024 ≈ 57,800 people Est. statewide total ▲ +64% supported since 2020 2025 projections will update following Q3 state reporting. dailytidings.com This is funded by Measure 26-210, approved by voters in the greater Portland metro area, in May 2020. County / Region Homelessness Prevented Newly Housed Shelter / Units Notes Clackamas ≈2,679 prevented ~412 PSH + ~196 RRH ~210 units (goal 155) 358 rent assist this year; 766 over 3 yrs Multnomah Thousands served (varied reports) ~2,599 housed FY24–25; ~7,255 total w/support ~270 new; ~1,606 sustained 3,778 sheltered FY24–25 Washington 10,400+ assisted ~1,200+ housed (704 HH in 3 yrs) ~90 pods; ~433 beds total ~35% unsheltered decrease reported Tri-County Total 15,000+ prevented (multi-yr) ~6,000 housed (3 yrs) ~1,450 beds/units created or sustained 10-yr targets: 5K housed + 10K stabilized Clackamas County Housing Projects Clackamas County will launch a new Housing 4 Success program to provide up to three years of rent assistance. Applicants will also receive supportive services, such as assistance with employment and a savings program. Two new site-based developments with a combined 40 permanent supportive housing units are also being developed in the county. Thirteen new shelter units have been created as a Stabilization Center for adults experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Residents at the center will be assisted with housing. Clackamas has 233 shelter units, while its Outreach program engages 750 households experiencing homelessness. Multnomah and Washington Projects Multnomah County will introduce 248 new supportive housing units during 2026, and Washington County will have $1.5 million available to assist at least 100 households with move-in assistance. These are just two examples of many projects that will contribute to reducing homelessness in the two states. Clackamas County Multnomah County Washington County Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email