Kotek Shares Rural Homeless Data

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is touting the impact of her homelessness emergency order, reporting rural communities have exceeded the goals she set two years ago.  Kotek said last week more than 380 emergency shelter beds were created in rural areas, more than three-times her goal, and 868 families were rehoused.

“This is a testament to the change our local leaders can make in their neighbors’ lives when they have the resources, collaboration, and flexibility they need,” Governor Kotek said. “It’s a strong start, but the urgency remains, and we need to see this strategy through. If we remain unrelenting in our goals, we can achieve a healthier, safer, more prosperous Oregon, where everyone has a place to call home.”

Meanwhile, State Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham said the state’s homeless crisis is worse than when Kotek took office, with a 22% increase in chronic homelessness from 2023 to 2024.

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