Duke Shepherd advocates $5M lottery bonds to combat homelessness in Oregon

Oregon's Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction convened on May 9, 2025, to discuss critical funding requests aimed at addressing homelessness and infrastructure needs across the state.

A significant proposal came from Duke Shepherd, Senior Policy Director at Oregon Business and Industry, who requested $5 million in lottery bonds to support a broader initiative to combat homelessness among families with children. Shepherd emphasized that this funding represents only 12% of the total project budget, which includes $8 million from a capital campaign and various tax credits. He urged the committee to act decisively to help Oregon reduce its high rates of homeless families, stating, "Let's knock Oregon out of first place for having the most homeless families."

The meeting also highlighted the importance of lottery funds in fulfilling the original promise of job creation and economic development made to Oregonians when the lottery was established in 1984. Shepherd supported several funding items in House Bill 5531, including allocations for Columbia River channel deepening and brownfield redevelopment, which aim to stimulate economic growth and job opportunities.

Additionally, Aurora Mayor Brian Esher presented a request for $2.6 million to complete a vital water project that would allow for the development of 60 to 80 new home sites. Esher explained that rising costs had increased the project's budget from an initial estimate of $6.5 million to $10.6 million, necessitating this funding to avoid losing federal support and to meet essential water supply needs.

The meeting concluded with a request from Pete Kearns, CEO of Serenity Lane, for $500,000 to enhance security on their Coburg campus. This investment aims to create a safer environment for patients and staff, underscoring the ongoing need for community-focused infrastructure improvements.

These discussions reflect a concerted effort by Oregon lawmakers to address pressing social issues and infrastructure challenges, with a clear focus on leveraging state resources to foster community development and support vulnerable populations. The outcomes of these funding requests will be pivotal in shaping the future of Oregon's communities.