Follow the data. Fund what works.

This article is contributed Dr. Sandra Comstock, Executive Director of Hygiene4All, and a Steering Committee member of the Welcome Home Coalition.

Portland City Council is considering an important budget proposal that would rebalance funding for homelessness services. Read on so you can prepare to have an impact and submit your testimony before May 14, 2025 to make your voice heard!

An analysis of Multnomah County data shows that Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Rehousing (RRH) are far more effective than shelter beds at ending homelessness. As of December 2024, 80% of people in PSH and RRH stayed housed two years after their subsidies ended. In contrast, only 12% of shelter users moved into permanent housing, with most returning to the streets within 77 days.

Housing programs are more equitable

Black Portlanders are better served by housing assistance programs than shelters. They make up 29% of RRH users and 27% in PSH—exceeding their share of the homeless population—while only 16% use shelters.

We may lose affordable housing that’s already built

Right now hundreds of publicly funded, income-restricted apartments sit vacant with extremely low income families struggling to pay their rent. RRH and eviction prevention funding could fill these homes, recover lost rent and preserve our affordable housing stock. It also supports placement into market-rate units via landlord partnerships.

Investing in housing yields greater results

The Welcome Home Coalition, a multicultural and intersectional alliance in the Portland Metropolitan Region that uses its collective resources to build a movement for housing justice, suggests budget changes which will invest more on housing placements and less on tiny house and congregate shelters. The net gain would be  1,087 more people served in housing and shelter than the Mayor of Portland’s current proposal. It also adds funds to prevent evictions. This approach is not just more humane—it’s smarter, more cost-effective, equitable and sustainable.

It’s time to fund proven solutions that actually end homelessness. Let’s invest in housing.

Cost Comparison Per Person Per Month:

• COST OF TINY HOUSE SHELTER PODS: $3,042
• COST OF CONGREGATE SHELTER BED: $1,832
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• COST OF RAPID REHOUSING WITH SUPPORT: $1,050
• COST OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: $2,083

Learn More and Take Action: 

You can review a white paper using the latest County data and spending reports to analyze costs, results, and equity considerations. Your voice matters in shaping the future of homelessness response in Portland.

WELCOME HOME and a coalition of housing advocates in Portland urge us to take action:
📧 > Email all city councilors and the Mayor in one click.
Pro tip: If you customize your message before you send; personal stories are powerful!

Thanks to Dr. Sandra Comstock, Executive Director of Hygiene4All, and the Steering Committee member of the Welcome Home Coalition for this information.