Liberal nonprofit tackles Portland’s homeless crisis with $1M for ‘Equity and Inclusion’.

Oregon’s Homelessness Crisis: A Call for Action

With homelessness on the rise in Portland, an Oregon nonprofit called HereTogether Oregon is urging local leaders to allocate nearly $1 million in taxpayer funds to support a controversial “equity and inclusion” office. They argue that this investment will help address the city’s “homeless crisis.”

Last week, HereTogether Oregon led an effort to secure continued funding for the “Office of Equity and Inclusion” in Clackamas County, located southeast of downtown Portland. Despite local leaders considering budget cuts of over $828,000 for the upcoming fiscal year, HereTogether Oregon disagrees, rallying hundreds of local groups to support the equity office in a compelling letter. They argue that the office is “essential” for the Portland area’s “continued progress, unity, and success.”

HereTogether Oregon’s stated mission is to address the “Portland region’s homeless crisis.” This crisis has escalated dramatically, with a 20% increase in the homeless count in Multnomah County, which includes downtown Portland, in 2023. Oregon as a whole has experienced one of the largest spikes in homelessness nationwide between 2020 and 2022.

HereTogether Oregon acknowledges the severity of the homelessness crisis in Portland, describing it as a “crisis on our streets.” They aim to combat this crisis through a focus on “inclusion.” Their website proudly emphasizes that equity is at the core of their work, recognizing that the homelessness crisis is exacerbated by various forms of discrimination. They pledge to bring diverse voices into their efforts and create a culture of inclusion. Notably, local groups supporting HereTogether Oregon’s defense of equity spending include a climate change nonprofit, a guitar retailer, and a local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Clackamas County commissioner Mark Shull, who initially proposed cutting funding for the county’s equity office, believes that HereTogether Oregon should prioritize efforts to alleviate the dire homeless situation in Oregon. He argues that the concept of equity is a tool for gaining political power, allowing for the application of unequal standards to ensure preferential outcomes based on race, skin color, sex, or gender identity.

HereTogether Oregon defends its decision to rally local groups in support of equity office funding, asserting that it will effectively address homelessness and housing insecurity.

“HereTogether’s work aligns with the Office of Equity and Inclusion’s vision: a Clackamas County that is healthy, safe, and welcoming for all,” the nonprofit stated.

According to an assessment from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Oregon’s homelessness population grew by nearly 23% from 2020 to 2022, far surpassing the national average of less than 1%. Oregon also outpaced many other West Coast states, including California, which saw only a 6% increase in homelessness over the same period.

While HereTogether Oregon claims that the local equity office will contribute to solving this problem, their letter advocating for the office does not explicitly mention the word “homeless.”

Shull and other county commissioners will further discuss equity funding during an August 1 policy session. Shull maintains that HereTogether Oregon’s letter will not influence the decision-making process.

“In the past, Clackamas County has effectively supported the needs of its residents without an ‘equality department,'” Shull stated. “The letter we received from HereTogether Oregon, with its many signatures, is nothing more than progressive left political pressure from a minority with a loud voice.”