On January 10, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek issued Executive Order 23-02 (the “EO 23-02”), which declared a state of emergency due to homelessness. The EO provides funding to rapidly expand the State’s low-barrier shelter capacity, to rehouse people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and to prevent homelessness to the greatest extent possible. It took immediate effect and remains in effect until January 10, 2024.
The goals set for Jackson County to combat homelessness:
1) Rapidly rehouse 133 unsheltered households.
2) Increase low-barrier emergency shelter by creating 67 new additional shelter beds.
3) Provide homelessness prevention services to 385 households.
The Oregon Housing and Community Services Department delivered $130,000,000 in funding to seven of Oregon’s Continuums of Care (CoCs) deemed emergency areas. Jackson County was awarded $8.8 million as part of EO 23-02.
As part of the Executive Order, on April 10th, it was announced that Jackson County was awarded an additional $1.5 million in Oregon Eviction Diversion Prevention Program (ORE-DAP) funding to combat homelessness by providing homelessness prevention services. These funds are designated for eviction prevention interventions such as rental assistance, coordination with partners who are providing legal services, and other wrap-around interventions to support households at risk of eviction.
Documents
Jackson County Multi‐Agency Coordination Group
Provider Contact Sheet for EO related work
Provider Contracts for Services
Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland(OHRA)
Resources
Oregon.gov Background on the Governer’s Executive Orders and FAQ