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Portland Solutions proposes $93.5 million homelessness response budget; adds outreach staff and one-time shelter funds
Summary
Portland Solutions presented a FY 25–26 proposed budget that increases total program spending and requests a 10-person outreach expansion, major one-time funding for overnight shelters and continued alternative shelter spending; several programs rely heavily on one-time funding.
Portland Solutions presented its FY 2025–26 proposed budget to the Homelessness and Housing Committee on May 13, seeking expanded outreach capacity and large one-time allocations for overnight and alternative shelter services.
Director Skye Brocker Knapp and Deputy Director Hank Smith said Portland Solutions’ proposed budget for FY 25–26 totals about $93.5 million, up from roughly $82.4 million in the current year, and that about $68 million (approximately 72.6%) of the proposed funding is one-time money. The bureau said proposed staffing would increase from 27 FTE in FY 24–25 to 41 FTE in FY 25–26, with 32 of the 41 positions limited-duration or temporary.
Key elements of the proposal include a $24.9 million package for an overnight shelter program (the budget narrative lists $15 million from Metro, $4.8 million from state resources and $5.1 million in other state funding, with $15.3 million for overnight beds, $8.9 million for two day centers/managed outdoor spaces, and smaller amounts for storage and administration). Portland Solutions said the mayor is pursuing long-term funding options for the program but that the request in the proposed budget is one-time funding.
The alternative shelter program (including 24/7 pod sites previously described as TAS/SRV) is proposed at about $38.6 million for FY 25–26, supported by a mix of expected state resources, county contributions and Metro carryover; staff said Peninsula Crossing would be decommissioned this week with the site planned for development by Habitat for Humanity as affordable housing and that Sunderland Safe Rest Park was not included in the mayor’s proposed budget.
Portland Solutions proposed expanding the city outreach team inside the Street Services Coordination Center (SSCC) from four to 15 outreach workers (adding 10 new outreach staff) to increase engagement capacity for shelters, camps and unsanctioned camping responses; the bureau said the expanded outreach team would coordinate closely with county outreach and with nonprofit providers, and that staff are already in early discussions with county leadership about a geographic outreach strategy.
On the impact reduction program (IRP) and Public Environment Management Office (PEMO), staff said base service levels would be maintained but that FY 24–25 included additional carryover and one-time funds not present in the proposed FY 25–26 base; IRP expects at least $2 million in ODOT funding for campsite removals on state-owned rights of way, and PEMO would receive about $740,000 for additional sidewalk cleaning around shelters and business districts.
Councilors raised questions about coordination with the county, the roles of city outreach compared with nonprofit and county outreach teams, how new outreach staff would be deployed, and the sustainability of one-time funding. Councilor Avalos and others pressed for clarity on how the new outreach capacity would fit with the county’s planned changes and asked whether the city’s expansion risks duplicating existing services. Portland Solutions said it would continue coordinating with county staff, metro and community partners and that SSCC outreach will focus on higher-acuity cases and coordination around new shelter and day-service sites.
Councilors and the bureau also discussed camp removal capacity and RV removal practices. Portland Solutions said IRP’s current operational model could continue at near current levels if expected intergovernmental revenues materialize; staff also said the city will begin billing last registered owners for towed, derelict recreational vehicles, with invoices anticipated to be mailed in June.
