By Portland Medium Staff
The group called People for Portland is looking to collect 51,000 signatures to get the measure on the November ballot. It would force people living on the streets to move into the shelter space. It also proposes to redirect the bulk of the money from Metro’s 2020 Homeless Services Measure toward emergency shelter.
Metro residents would be allowed to sue the government if they believe the measure is not being enforced. The measure is a huge departure from the region’s current strategy for addressing homelessness. It prioritizes shelter at the expense of securing permanent housing for people.
Three-quarters of the tax money from Metro’s supportive housing service measure would be funneled toward emergency shelters. It has been reported that the measure would remain until each county has enough beds to shelter every person experiencing homelessness in the region and each municipality is “enforcing its own anti-camping ordinances.”
The measure would place a 1% tax on high-income earners in Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties. The money raised will be significant. It is expected to generate about $250 million annually for supportive housing services that help people at risk of homelessness remain in their housing. These services are important which includes rent assistance, case management, and shelter.
There is more in the measure including redirecting money from the Metro homeless service measure as well as an annual audit requirement. Also, Metro resident will be allowed to sue the government and could win back their attorney fees. However, it is unknown how it runs afoul of Martin v. Boise, a landmark case that found cities could not enforce their anti-camping rules if they did not have a sufficient amount of shelter beds for everyone experiencing homelessness.
According to Metro, money from the Metro measure has added 1,640 shelter beds, placed 456 people into permanent supportive housing, and provided 1,406 people with eviction prevention assistance.
