Thanks to voters' approval of Metro's 2018 affordable housing bond, more than 5,000 affordable homes have been created or are in development as of January 2025. Meanwhile, implementation of regional Supportive Housing Services funding has helped thousands more households avoid homelessness and stay housed across the region.
Yet the need remains. Homelessness and the rising gap between incomes and housing costs continues to be a daily struggle for people and families across greater Portland. Unfortunately, both Metro's affordable housing bond and the Supportive Housing Services program will expire within a few years. This expiration would mean thousands of people lose the support they need to stay housed, and dry up construction of new affordable housing in the region.
Since early 2024, hundreds of community members, housing and service providers and public officials have shared their thoughts about what's needed to address homelessness, provide housing, and build hope for our communities.
The Metro Council is considering action in spring 2025, including a potential ballot measure to extend and reform regional funding to address homelessness and housing instability.