OHCS asks legislature to restore 24 positions and add 16 new staff to run shelter, rehousing programs under HB 5011

Salem — Oregon Housing and Community Services on April 25 asked the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee to approve staffing changes tied to House Bill 5011, policy option package 508, saying roughly $13 million in operational supports would restore 24 positions previously funded one time, shift three positions to manufactured-housing funding and create 16 new roles to run shelter, rehousing and other programs.

The staffing request comes as OHCS implements a large increase in homelessness and housing investments recommended in the governor's budget. "People are the most important aspect of any organization and ours is no different," OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell told the committee. The agency said the additional staff would support homeless services, affordable rental housing programs, centralized administrative functions and a larger Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Why it matters: Committee members said the state’s investments have grown far faster than the agency’s staffing and pressed OHCS on how much of new funding will reach people versus administrative overhead. OHCS officials said agency operations must scale with new contracts, reporting requirements and expanded grantee networks to ensure accountability and outcomes.

OHCS outlined the package as follows: the total operational-support request is a little over $13 million; it would make permanent about 24 positions that were previously one‑time hires…