SALEM, Ore. (Jan. 12, 2026) — Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday extended Oregon’s state of emergency on unsheltered homelessness, sharpening the state’s focus on mental health and addiction as ongoing conditions that continue to threaten public health, safety and economic stability.
“We have helped thousands of people move from the streets into shelter, from shelter into homes, and prevented thousands more from experiencing homelessness in the first place,” Kotek said. “But we must maintain the momentum and strengthen our focus on the intersection of homelessness, mental health, and addiction. This effort will be supported by my administration’s work to expand treatment beds and strengthen the behavioral health workforce. Working together, we can continue to reduce rates of unsheltered homelessness.”
The emergency order, which takes effect immediately, remains in place through Jan. 10, 2027, unless modified or terminated earlier. Kotek said she will reassess the order every two months to ensure it reflects current conditions and progress.
The governor first declared a homelessness state of emergency on Jan. 10, 2023, in regions that saw increases of 50% or more in unsheltered homelessness between 2017 and 2022. The declaration has since been extended through multiple executive orders, including Executive Order 25-01 issued on Jan. 7, 2025.
From January 2023 through September 2025, emergency actions resulted in 6,286 new and maintained shelter beds, the rehousing of 5,539 Oregonians experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and prevention assistance for 25,942 households, according to the governor’s office.
Despite those gains, state officials say a significant share of people experiencing chronic homelessness also live with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injuries or other behavioral health conditions. Those challenges often lead to repeated interactions with emergency rooms, psychiatric facilities, jails and crisis systems, highlighting the need for integrated housing and health care solutions.
“Through daily work serving people experiencing homelessness, we see every day how closely homelessness is tied to untreated mental health and addiction,” said Scott Kerman, former executive director of Blanchet House. “Extending the state of emergency with a clear focus on these needs is critical. Housing saves lives, and stability and success occur when people also have access to treatment, care, and ongoing support.”
Under the extended order, the state of emergency applies to the Metro Region Continuums of Care, Central Oregon, Eugene and Springfield in Lane County, Medford and Ashland in Jackson County, Salem in Marion and Polk counties, Linn County, Clatsop County and Malheur County.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management will continue coordinating the emergency response, while Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Oregon Health Authority will advance longer-term solutions.
New goals outlined in the order include rehousing an additional 1,400 households, preventing homelessness for more than 8,000 households, investing $20 million during the 2025–2027 biennium to support intensive Permanent Supportive Housing, expanding behavioral health capacity and improving coordination between housing and health care systems.
The governor’s action also releases $19 million from previously allocated funds to expand community capacity for individuals connected with the justice system who are unable to aid and assist in their own defense. Those investments will add 36 transitional housing beds in Clackamas County and 72 additional beds through secure and nonresidential treatment facilities.
Andrea Bell, executive director of Oregon Housing and Community Services, said the extension reinforces the state’s commitment to long-term solutions.
“Every Oregonian deserves to live a dignified life—one where they have the freedom and security of knowing they can afford to have a place to call home,” Bell said. “Through local and state partnerships, we remain vigorously committed to materially making everyday life better and improving the trajectories of families, neighborhoods, and entire generations.”
Housing providers also voiced support for the extension.
“REACH supports Governor Kotek’s decision to extend Oregon’s homelessness state of emergency and her continued leadership in strengthening the systems needed to keep people housed,” said Margaret Salazar, CEO of REACH Community Development. “As an affordable housing provider, we know that housing alone is not enough for individuals with serious behavioral health needs; it must be paired with coordinated, ongoing services to succeed.”
Salazar added that the focus on Permanent Supportive Housing and improved transitions from hospitals and treatment settings into housing reflects both progress made and the urgency of continued action.
“This extension reflects both the progress made and the reality that sustained, integrated solutions are still urgently needed,” she said.
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
