Joint Office Audit Finds Shelters Funded by Joint Office Generally Full with Long Waitlists and Limited Success in Moving to Permanent Housing

The Joint Office of Homeless Services, established in 2016 by the City of Portland and Multnomah County, was created to centralize planning, policy, and funding for homelessness programs. Its goal was to coordinate and improve services to address homelessness, including shelters, and to prevent further displacement of vulnerable neighbors.

Since its creation, the number and types of shelters serving people experiencing homelessness have grown significantly. The Joint Office has also worked to expand shelter locations across the county and reduce barriers to entry. However, an audit revealed that adult and family shelters funded by the Joint Office were generally full, had long waitlists, and could be difficult to access. In some cases, these shelters did not consistently help participants move to permanent housing.

The audit recommended that the Joint Office evaluate information about the shelter system and use it to develop strategies to right-size shelter supply based on need, improve access to shelter, and increase successful placements from shelters to permanent housing. By the end of the audit, the Joint Office had begun taking steps to address these issues as part of its new shelter strategy.

The audit also found that Joint Office programs were designed to reduce racial disparities. However, persistent and increasing rates of homelessness among some communities of color indicate that racial equity goals remain unmet. The Joint Office is advised to continue designing programs with these goals in mind and to adjust strategies as needed to improve performance.

Homelessness in Multnomah County has reached alarming levels. In 2023, a one-night census counted 6,297 people experiencing homelessness, a significant increase from 2015. As of January 2024, a comprehensive by-name list of individuals experiencing homelessness in the county included 11,153 people, of whom 5,398 were unsheltered.

The Joint Office of Homeless Services continues to play a critical role in addressing homelessness through coordinated efforts. However, the audit highlights the need for sustained focus on the shelter system to meet the growing and complex needs of the community. The challenge of housing insecurity underscores the importance of mercy ministries and public policy that prioritize the dignity and well-being of all neighbors.

Micah 6:8 calls for justice, mercy, and humility in service to others. As the Joint Office works to improve the shelter system, the broader community is reminded of the responsibility to care for the vulnerable and to seek solutions that reflect these values.

Source: Read the original report