Medford, Ore. — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, in collaboration with State Representative Pam Marsh, is championing House Bill 3644, a new piece of legislation designed to overhaul the state’s homeless shelter system. The bill, introduced this week, seeks to establish consistent standards for shelters across the state and secure crucial funding to sustain shelter programs.
Governor Kotek testified before lawmakers on Monday afternoon, outlining the goals of the bill. She explained that the legislation would create a more structured system by implementing uniform shelter program standards and ensuring long-term sustainability through dedicated funding.
Currently, Oregon’s homeless shelter system is described as a “patchwork” with wide variations in standards and staffing. During a meeting with the Oregon Senate Housing and Development Committee last week, State Resilience Officer Jonna Papaefthimiou criticized the existing system, highlighting the lack of consistency and the prevalence of inexperienced staff members.
“This bill is about taking what’s been working across the state and making sure we institutionalize it, so it’s not just a series of temporary solutions,” Governor Kotek said in her testimony. “We need a stable, sustainable system that can support people in need, now and in the future.”
As part of the bill, Kotek has requested $218 million in funding from the legislature, not to expand the shelter program, but to maintain the existing infrastructure that has been put in place through emergency orders. This funding is part of Kotek’s broader $700 million proposal aimed at addressing Oregon’s homelessness crisis. The full proposal includes additional resources for prevention and rehousing efforts.
The bill is seen as a key component of the state’s ongoing efforts to tackle homelessness, with Kotek and Marsh stressing the importance of consistency and sustainability in shelter services. As the legislation moves forward, lawmakers and advocates will be watching closely to see if the bill can provide the long-term solutions the state desperately needs.