RESOLUTION NO. 36367

Adopt Home Again: A 10-year Plan to End Homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County and direct implementation of the recommendations therein (Resolution)

WHEREAS, the City of Portland has responded to the issue of homelessness for many years, and recognizes that the homeless systems need to be responsive to the changing needs of homeless people;

WHEREAS, the National Alliance to End Homelessness led a national effort to support research, planning, and policy development to change the model from managing homelessness to a model of ending homelessness;

WHEREAS, in November 2003, the City and County engaged interjurisdictional and community based partners to initiate a planning process to reexamine the community’s response to homelessness;

WHEREAS, over 250 people from more than 90 agencies and institutions participated in a community to create “Home Again: A 10-year Plan to End Homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County;”

WHEREAS, research shows that 10% of the homeless population are chronically homeless and consume 50% of expensive emergency resources;

WHEREAS, the community based planning body and the Citizens Commission on Homelessness agreed to a plan with three principles and nine action steps that support housing for the most chronically homeless populations and accountability at all levels of the system;

WHEREAS, the City and County released “Home Again: A 10-year plan to End Homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County” on December 20, 2004;

WHEREAS, the County adopted “Home Again: A 10-year plan to End Homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County” on February 8, 2004; and

WHEREAS, the first year of implementation has shown tremendous results with over 500 chronically homeless individuals and 304 homeless families placed in housing in the first 9 months.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Portland, that the City of Portland adopts “Home Again: A 10-year Plan to End Homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County,” and directs its continued implementation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution is binding city policy.

Adopted by the Council, December 21, 2005

               GARY BLACKMER

Commissioner Erik Sten        Auditor of the City of Portland

Heather Lyons              By /S/ Susan Parsons

December 15, 2005                Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 1578-2005

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36367