Councilor Avalos to seek $1.2 million in opioid settlement funds for recovery beds and longer‑term housing in East Portland

Councilor Jo Ann Avalos said she will bring an amendment to allocate $1.2 million in unassigned opioid‑settlement funds to Fora Health to support recovery beds and longer‑term housing in East Portland.

"It is just money that's sitting there that was perfect for this cause," Avalos said, describing the funds as unallocated opioid settlement dollars that the council could direct to Fora Health without drawing on the mayor’s allocation for Bybee Lakes. Avalos said she had discussed the idea with the mayor and that the allocation would not reduce the mayor's existing Bybee Lakes commitment.

Avalos described the request as funding that would expand recovery capacity and create a hub in East Portland with recovery services and longer‑term housing supports. "This will get us super close to opening up a bunch of brand new recovery beds," she said, adding that the plan also includes transitions from short‑term recovery to more stable housing and co‑located services.

Several councilors asked why the city would fund this work rather than redirect the request to Multnomah County, the state, or the provider's existing Medicaid funding. Councilor Sam Zimmerman said Fora Health is a "pretty darn big organization" and asked why the city should finance a county‑scale treatment operation. Avalos answered that the council's contribution would go toward finishing a building—an asset the city commonly funds—and that the request appeared well aligned with the city’s role in supporting facilities and housing.

Avalos said she would amend language on other items as well (including specifying North and Northeast preferences for housing preservation funds) and expected to present the $1.2 million request in the next round of budget actions.