In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Multnomah County and the City of Portland, highlighting the establishment of a structured governance system to oversee the implementation of the Homelessness Response Action Plan. This plan, created through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) enacted in July, aims to enhance collaboration across various sectors to better serve individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Interim Director of Homelessness Response Systems, Ryan Divert, presented updates on the governance structure, which includes a Steering and Oversight Committee, an Implementation Committee, and a Community Advisory Committee. The Steering and Oversight Committee is tasked with providing leadership and ensuring accountability in the execution of the action plan, which encompasses nine broad goal areas and 120 specific action items.

During the meeting, the committee moved to officially appoint Peter Andrews as the Business Representative for the Steering and Oversight Committee. This appointment is seen as a crucial step in integrating business perspectives into the homelessness response strategy. Divert noted that the committee has already met multiple times and is actively working on completing the action items outlined in the plan, with over half of the 68 items due this year already accomplished.

However, concerns were raised regarding the governance structure, particularly the composition of the Steering and Oversight Committee, which is primarily made up of elected officials. Commissioner Myron expressed apprehension that this could lead to political priorities overshadowing effective policy-making. Despite these concerns, Myron acknowledged Andrews' qualifications and commitment to addressing homelessness, indicating support for his appointment.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue outreach for additional committee members, particularly in the behavioral health and supportive housing sectors, to ensure a diverse range of expertise is represented in the ongoing efforts to combat homelessness in the region.