Board appoints two community members to Homeless Response System steering and oversight committee

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to appoint two community members to the Homeless Response System Steering and Oversight Committee (SOC), adding a registrant representative and a behavioral‑health expert to the committee.

Commissioner Singleton moved approval of R2 and Commissioner Jones Dixon seconded. The chair described the SOC as one of three governing bodies for the county’s homelessness response system and said the committee brings together elected officials, community experts and stakeholders to guide the homelessness response action plan (HRAP). Jillian Shoney, director of the homelessness response system, introduced Robin Johnson and said the candidates had completed a public application and an interview process. The two candidates had already been affirmed by Portland City Council earlier in a related presentation.

Laura Suarez introduced herself to the board and described her professional qualifications: she is a licensed clinical social worker in Oregon and Washington, holds a master’s degree from Portland State University, manages transitional care teams at OHSU and has roughly a decade of experience serving people with complex medical and psychosocial needs in the Tri‑County area. Suarez said she was raised in poverty and described family experience with housing instability and substance use to explain her lived perspective on the system she now serves professionally.

Anna Allen described her background in tribal affairs and intergovernmental relations. Allen is Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission regional government affairs director, a Troutdale resident and a member of the Shoshoni‑Bannock tribes. She described prior roles building community engagement processes and emphasized including people with lived experience in policy and funding decisions.

After candidate remarks and one public comment, the board proceeded to a roll call vote. Commissioners recorded their votes as follows: Commissioner Moyer — Yes; Commissioner Singleton — Yes; Commissioner Jones Dixon — Yes; Chair Vega Peterson — Aye. The chair stated the resolution was adopted.

The resolution adds Anna Allen as the SOC representative from SHS tax registrants and Laura Suarez as the SOC behavioral‑health expert. Both appointments were recommended after an application and interview process with city and county staff and will fill two community seats on the steering and oversight committee.