Executive Order 23-02
On Jan. 10, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 23-02, declaring a state of emergency due to homelessness in Oregon. The geographic areas included in the emergency included federally designated Continuums of Care that experienced an increase in unsheltered homelessness of 50% or greater between 2017 and 2022:
- Metro region Continuums of Care (Portland, Gresham/Multnomah, Hillsboro, Beaverton/Washington County, and Clackamas County)
- Central Oregon
- Eugene, Springfield/Lane County
- Medford, Ashland/Jackson County
- Salem/Marion, Polk Counties
The regions were collectively tasked with preventing 8,750 households from becoming homeless statewide, adding 600 low-barrier shelter beds in emergency areas, and rehousing 1,200 unsheltered households in emergency areas.
Executive Order 23-09
On March 31, 2023, the Governor issued Executive Order 23-09, which expanded the homelessness state of emergency declared in Executive Order 23-02 to include three counties in the Balance of State Continuum of Care requested to be included and demonstrated that they met the criteria for inclusion:
- Clatsop County
- Linn County
- Malheur County
Executive Order 24-02
On Jan. 9, 2024, Governor Kotek signed Executive Order 24-02 to merge and extend EO 23-02 and EO 23-09, maintain the added capacity to the state’s shelter system, rehouse more people experiencing homelessness, and prevent homelessness.
Executive Order 25-01
On Jan. 9, 2025, Governor Kotek signed Executive Order 25-01, extending the emergency response through January 2026. The new executive order intends to maintain the added capacity to the state’s shelter system, rehouse people experiencing homelessness, and prevent homelessness in all designated regions:
- Metro region Continuums of Care (Portland, Gresham/Multnomah, Hillsboro, Beaverton/Washington County, and Clackamas County)
- Central Oregon
- Eugene, Springfield/Lane County
- Medford, Ashland/Jackson County
- Salem/Marion, Polk Counties
- Clatsop County
- Linn County
- Malheur County
Multi Agency Coordination (MAC) Groups
Following the origingal emergency declaration, Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) and OHCS worked with each Continuum of Care (CoC) region to establish Multi Agency Coordination (MAC) Groups. These groups were critical to ensuring standardized strategies and processes in each region while supporting local coordination and decision-making.
Members of MAC Groups include local jurisdictions (homelessness and emergency management staff), public housing authorities, local homelessness agencies, rapid rehousing service providers, shelter developers/operators, landlord associations, and behavioral health providers.
MAC Groups created community plans that outlined their region’s goals for rehousing and creating new shelter beds. Throughout the emergency response, they worked continuously with OHCS and ODEM toward meeting their established goals.
Balance of State - Local Planning Groups
Local Planning Groups have been established in all geographic regions of the Balance of State to improve the coordination and engagement of homelessness services providers. These groups work together to plan and approach services equitably and efficiently. Community Action Partnership of Oregon (CAPO) provides support with data tracking and outcome reporting.
Local Planning Groups surpassed their collective goals of adding 100 shelter beds and rehousing 450 households with more than a year left to achieve the goals. Track progress on the Balance of State dashboard.