Multnomah County has agreed to shoulder more of the city of Portland’s responsibilities for addressing the homelessness crisis, under an ambitious plan advanced Thursday by its board of commissioners.
The agreement — approved in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Sharon Meieran voting no — is the latest attempt by the county and city to better coordinate their fragmented services. If the Portland City Council also approves it next week, the plan would call for the city to transfer operations of six of its safe rest villages and the Clinton Triangle temporary alternative shelter to the county, and would also create a “homelessness response system director” to work with the Joint Office of Homeless Services.
