CCC is pleased to announce President and CEO Dr. Andy Mendenhall’s appointment to the Metro President’s Work Group focused on supportive housing services (SHS) reform.
In May 2020, voters in the Portland region approved Measure 26-210, also known as the SHS tax, to fund services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. Services funded by the measure include, but aren’t limited to:
- Emergency services such as outreach and shelter.
- Placement into housing.
- Rent assistance (both emergency and long-term).
- Advocacy and case management.
- Support for mental health, physical health, cultural and language, education, employment, addiction, recovery, tenant rights and more.
The fund has also strengthened and expanded the systems that deliver these services.
As originally approved, the SHS tax requires individuals who make at least $125,000 and couples making at least $200,000 to pay a 1% tax on Oregon taxable income above that threshold. There’s also a 1% business income tax on net income for businesses with gross receipts above $5 million. The tax is scheduled to sunset in 2030 and, as currently written, can only be used for services.
Since its passage, the tax has funded a significant amount of services. At the same time, Metro’s polling suggests Portlanders haven’t seen enough visible progress in addressing homelessness. While voters have long supported efforts to reduce homelessness, maintaining that support and extending the work beyond 2030 will require another ballot measure.
In response, Metro President Lynne Peterson has established the Metro President’s Work Group to develop recommendations for the Metro Council President on a proposed ballot measure to come before the voters in fall 2025. The Work Group will review and refine key performance indicators to support progress toward a shared regional mission and vision.
As an addiction medicine physician, Dr. Andy brings critical clinical expertise to the discussion shaped by both his medical background and CCC’s decades of experience in tackling the complex relationship between homelessness and physical or mental health issues. Our evidence-based approach shows these issues often go hand in hand. Combined with the experience brought by the elected officials, Housing Oregon, the Portland Chamber, and others (full list below), we’re confident a thoughtful, revised ballot measure with more accountability will be presented to voters.
The proposed ballot measure could include the following changes*:
- Extending the tax to 2050.
- Gradually lowering the individual tax rate from 1% to 0.75%. Indexing the rate would raise income thresholds so that inflation alone doesn’t push people into brackets that trigger payment.
- Allowing counties and cities to use any excess revenue beyond forecasts to build or buy low-income housing. Currently, SHS funds can only be used to pay for services.
- Adding accountability, shared data collection systems and measurements across the tri-county region.
*All proposed changes are still under review and subject to change.
We look forward to the evolution of these discussions and your support as we continue working toward a community where everyone can thrive. To learn about SHS progress made to date, visit Metro’s website.
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SHS Metro President’s Work Group
Metro – President Lynne Peterson, Councilors Ashton Simpson and Christine Lewis
Multnomah County – Commissioner’s Shannon Singleton and Julie Brim-Edwards
Washington County – Commissioner’s Jerry Wiley and Kathryn Harrington
Clackamas County – Commissioner’s Ben West and Craig Roberts
Cities of Multnomah County – Mayor Travis Stovall (City of Gresham), Mayor Keith Wilson (City of Portland)
Cities of Washington County – Mayor Tim Rosener (City of Sherwood), Mayor Lacey Beaty (City of Beaverton)
Cities of Clackamas County – Mayor Joe Buck (City of Lake Oswego), Mayor Lisa Batey (City of Milwaukie)
Welcome Home Coalition – Mercedes Elizalde (Latino Network)
Here Together – Melissa Earlbaum (Clackamas Women’s Services)
Coalition of Communities of Color – Sahaan McKelvey (Self Enhancement Inc.)
Housing Oregon – Rachel Duke (Board Chair, CPAH)
Clackamas County Business Alliance – Nellie Devries, Executive Director
Westside Economic Alliance – Elizabeth Mazzara Myers, Executive Director
Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors – Alex Phan, Principal Broker
Portland Metro Chamber – Will Rasmussen, Board Chair
