Director's Message, 2013 Year In Review

Looking back on 2013, I am humbled by our community’s commitment, compassion and expertise in ending homelessness and providing affordable homes for the people of Portland. This Year in Review is a chance to take stock of our shared accomplishments. Since Commissioner Dan Saltzman became the Housing Commissioner in June, Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) worked with him to secure new money to end homelessness and reduce shelter waitlists for women and other vulnerable populations. City Council unanimously passed Commissioner Saltzman’s proposal for a $1.7 million boost in funding to help Portlanders who experience homelessness regain housing. These new funds will serve more than 200 vulnerable adults and nearly 100 families. This comes on the heels of Commissioner Saltzman’s directive to PHB to allocate $300,000 from our general fund into the Women Into Housing Now (WIHN) initiative. In collaboration with our partners at Multnomah County, this surge in funds for rent assistance, street outreach, shelter diversion and housing placement will support our community’s plan to end homelessness, A Home for Everyone. As temperatures drop this season, Winter and Severe Weather Shelter beds open up. From Nov. 1 to March 31, our community’s shelter providers—many funded through PHB—expand our year-round shelter capacity by more than 50%, to add approximately 342 additional beds for men, women and families. Severe Weather Shelters are also available based on temperature and other life-threatening weather conditions. When severe weather is declared, as it