Board appoints Nathaniel Vergauw as Homeless Services director after scrutiny over prior LAHSA ties

The Multnomah County Board appointed Nathaniel Vergauw as the permanent director of the Homeless Services Department after a public hearing on his selection and a board vote.

Chair Vega Peterson introduced Vergauw as the finalist from a search that drew over 100 applicants. Sarah Morse, deputy chief operating officer, summarized his experience at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and program leadership roles that included expanding shelter capacity and implementing data dashboards. "He has done the work that Multnomah County is working towards at a larger scale," Morse said.

Nathaniel addressed the board: "I'm excited and humbled by the opportunity presented me... I've been passionately working to address homelessness for more than 20 years and look forward to bringing my experience from other communities to bear here in Multnomah County." He said his early steps would be listening and learning from local providers and jurisdictions before proposing changes.

During public testimony and virtual comments, speakers raised concerns about audits and contractor issues at LAHSA and asked commissioners to probe Vergauw’s responsibilities there. In response, county staff and Vergauw described monitoring steps previously taken at LAHSA and noted reforms and strengthened oversight.

Board members then questioned the nominee; some commissioners said the candidate was their top choice, while others said they were not convinced the timing or fit was right. The appointment passed in roll-call vote; the chair announced the resolution adopted and stated a May 4 start date was planned pending board approval.

The action directs staff to onboard Vergauw and continue collaboration with city and regional partners on shelter, outreach and coordinated services.