Governor Tina Kotek Extends Emergency Order to Address Homelessness Crisis

Salem, Oregon- Governor Tina Kotek has extended Emergency Order 24-02, issuing Executive Order 25-01 to continue addressing unsheltered homelessness in Oregon. The new order directs state agencies to maintain efforts to reduce homelessness and supports the infrastructure established during the emergency response.

“We must stay the course on what we see working,” Governor Kotek said. “If we keep at this pace, 1 in every 3 people who were experiencing homelessness in 2023 will be rehoused.”

Since declaring a statewide homelessness emergency in January 2023, Oregon has exceeded its initial targets by implementing a statewide homelessness infrastructure. Governor Kotek emphasized that despite these achievements, the urgency remains as homelessness continues to rise.

Progress and Projections

Key achievements of the emergency response include:

• Establishing 600 new low-barrier shelter beds.

• Rehousing 1,200 households experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

• Preventing 8,750 households from becoming homeless in Emergency Areas.

Preliminary data suggests that additional goals, including creating 100 low-barrier shelter beds and rehousing 450 households in non-emergency areas, will also be met by June 30, 2025. By the end of the 2023-2025 biennium, the statewide response is expected to fund 5,500 shelter beds, rehouse 3,300 households, and prevent 24,000 households from experiencing homelessness.

Andrea Bell, Executive Director of the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department, praised the coordinated efforts, saying, “This work is and has always been about people and making their life better. Building a future that includes and works for everyone is possible when we recognize the scale of our challenges and bring an even greater scale of ambition in confronting them.”

Legislative Action and Future Plans

Since taking office, Governor Kotek has taken consistent legislative and executive action to address homelessness. In early 2023, she issued EO 23-02, declaring the homelessness emergency, and the legislature subsequently approved $155 million in emergency funding. Additional resources were allocated through SB 5511 and SB 1530 to stabilize shelters and expand homelessness prevention services.

Looking ahead, the Governor’s Recommended Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium includes funding to sustain and expand the homelessness response infrastructure. If fully implemented, the program could rehouse over one-third of those experiencing homelessness in 2023 and fund nearly one shelter bed for every three people experiencing unsheltered homelessness at that time.

Long-Term Commitment

EO 25-01 remains in effect until January 10, 2026, unless extended or terminated earlier. Governor Kotek has also announced her intent to establish an ongoing shelter program during the 2025 Legislative Session.

“The urgency remains,” Governor Kotek said, emphasizing the need for sustained commitment. With a combination of legislative support and executive action, Oregon aims to make long-term progress in reducing homelessness across the state.