LOC News
Update on Governor’s Emergency Declaration on Housing
The state has posted additional instructions for counties that wish to be included in Governor Kotek’s emergency declaration on housing. Full details are available online.
A county governing body may request to be included in the emergency declaration by emailing a request to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management at oem.recovery@oem.oregon.gov. The governor will review and consider each request to ensure the scope is within the legal boundaries of her executive powers, while also responding to the urgent needs of the communities across the state.
Governor Kotek will complete her first scheduled review of the emergency order on March 10. Local jurisdictions that would like to be included in the state of emergency must meet the qualifications listed below and are then encouraged to submit their request to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) at the email address above before March 10. To qualify for a review, a local jurisdiction must meet the following requirements:
- The unsheltered population in 2022 must be greater than 30 households; and
- The community has declared a local state of emergency related to homelessness; and
- At least one of the following is true:
- Unsheltered homelessness increased by 50% or more between 2017-2022; or
- The rate of unsheltered homelessness in 2022 was 80% or greater.
Once the jurisdiction confirms they meet the qualifications above, a request containing information demonstrating that they meet the criteria above will need to be submitted through ODEM at oem.recovery@oem.oregon.gov and approved by the governor.
Contact: Ariel Nelson, Lobbyist – anelson@orcities.org
Last Updated 2/10/23