Portland City Council Moves to End Homelessness Response System Agreement with County, Chair Responds

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland City Council has introduced an ordinance to terminate its Homelessness Response System Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Multnomah County, arguing that the joint office overseeing homeless services has failed to meet the needs of the community. Citing issues with accountability, oversight, and underutilized funds, City Councilors Mingus Mapps, Dan Ryan, and Rene Gonzalez said the decision to dissolve the agreement follows years of stalled progress on homelessness and unmet milestones, particularly with data tracking and housing resources. According to the council, the IGA’s dissolution will allow for a new, more effective structure to address the city’s homelessness crisis.

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson has strongly criticized the proposal, warning that dismantling the current partnership would jeopardize critical funding for homeless services and lead to more people living on the streets. In a letter responding to the council’s ordinance, Vega Pederson highlighted the collaboration and resources invested over the past 18 months in creating the IGA, describing it as a critical structure for the region’s response to homelessness. She noted that the current agreement has already produced measurable outcomes, including increased shelter beds and enhanced funding for housing placements, while also establishing transparency and accountability measures.

As the city councilors prepare to discuss the ordinance on Nov. 7, Vega Pederson urged them to consider the potential impacts on the community, suggesting the council’s move may be driven by political motives ahead of the upcoming election. The City Council has assured residents that the wind-down process will maintain existing services and lead to a more accountable and actionable homelessness response plan by mid-2025, while Vega Pederson called for continued partnership to sustain the IGA’s progress and preserve essential services.