Dear Washington County,

March is Women’s History Month, so I’d like to start by recognizing three incredible female leaders in Washington County - Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington, Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, and Forest Grove Mayor Malynda Wenzl. Please take a moment to read their co-authored op-ed, which describes the collaboration they have fostered to end and prevent homelessness in our county. Their efforts to partner, align policies, and make decisive investments in a system of care to transition people out of homelessness exemplifies what it will take to solve our region’s most urgent crisis. This work could not be done without three key ingredients: 1) political courage and collaboration, 2) effective and diverse strategies that meet people where they are at, and 3) resources to scale these strategies into reality, thanks in large part to the voter-approved Supportive Housing Services measure.

I’d like to also applaud the leadership and accomplishments of the outgoing Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Marcia L. Fudge, the second African-American female to lead this federal agency. For the last three years she has furthered HUD’s mission of creating strong, sustainable, and inclusive policies and programs to lift up underserved communities. I had the honor of meeting Secretary Fudge at a small gathering two years ago, where I heard first-hand her vision to catalyze housing production across the country. I was impressed by her depth of knowledge, accessibility, and passion to inspire local communities to urgently address our housing and homelessness crises head on. I am humbled and grateful to have had even a brief opportunity to learn directly from her.

With Black History Month in February, and Arab American Heritage Month in April, we are reminded of the struggles and discrimination that persist in housing access and affordability for these communities of color. Homelessness disproportionally affects women of all backgrounds, and women experiencing homelessness are at an even greater risk of gender-based and domestic violence. It is critical that we intentionally build policies and programs that address these inequities. And so, I am thankful for our partnerships and the work being done to eliminate systemic barriers and improve the lives of women and every resident of our community.

Best,

Molly Rogers

Check out this video celebrating the success of Bridge to Home, the largest shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Washington County. The Tigard site is owned and operated by Family Promise of Tualatin Valley and provides safe haven for up to 70 households, either families with children or medically fragile adults.

Kayla, a former shelter participant who recently moved into housing with her family, shared, “You wouldn’t know that we were homeless when we were here at Family Promise because we weren’t homeless; we had a bridge to home and because of that, because of our case manager, because of Family Promise, because of everyone that helps here helped us so much we now have an amazing home that we live in…. All the other cities, other countries in the world, take a note, take a lesson because this is how you change the world.”

Bridge to Home offers meals served onsite, a food pantry, clothing closet operated by dedicated volunteers, and individualized housing navigation services to achieve long-term, stable housing. The site operates out of a converted hotel and was purchased thanks to state funding through Project Turnkey administered by the Oregon Community Foundation, Washington County, and the City of Tigard. Ongoing operation of the shelter is made possible by the 2020 voter-approved Supportive Housing Services measure resources provided by Washington County.

Residents work towards creating a sustainable future

On February 29, 2024, representatives from Washington County’s Solid Waste & Recycling paid a visit to Aloha Park apartments in Beaverton, one of the Housing Authority of Washington County’s affordable housing sites, to host their first-ever community event. Waste prevention education is key to reducing waste and creating a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone. An interactive presentation was organized to inform residents about the ins and outs of recycling.

2024 Legislative advances for housing solutions

The 2024 legislative session ended with crucial support for housing. Three bills from the Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package were passed: SB 1537, SB 1530, and HB 4134. The package aims to stabilize housing for Oregonians experiencing homelessness and increase access to housing.

The package will allow cities to expand their urban growth boundaries if 30% of the development is affordable housing. Funding was also provided to several infrastructure projects to support the development of housing, including $6 million to sewage and water projects in Beaverton. The legislature also provided $2.25 million to Washington County non-profits that aid in home purchasing.

Oregon Housing and Community Services released this summary. Additional highlights from the $376 million investment package:

• $94.3 million for “shovel-ready projects” within existing city limits
• $65 million to keep existing homeless shelters open
• $34 million for eviction prevention assistance
• $29.25 million for affordable housing in under resourced communities
• $18 million for housing for people recovering from drug addiction

Expanded housing programs continue to transform lives in Washington County

In 2018, Shaun became a homeowner in our community. When the pandemic started, everything happened at once: he lost his job, his marriage ended, and he lost his home and faced homelessness for the first time. He called Washington County’s Community Connect, and they guided him through available resources.

One day his case manager called to help him find housing, once they started working together things came together quickly. Shaun had an apartment for him within a month. His caseworker helped him with furniture, cooking supplies, appliances and other home accessories. She also let him know about job fairs. Shaun currently has a job and is attending school for psychology... One day he’d like to use his experience to help others: “I’m going to give back what I’ve gotten, and that’s another chance.”

For more on Shaun’s story by Metro and others like him in Washington County, click here.