For many years, the budget process for Multnomah County was a painful study in having to do more with less.
That is not the case for now. This year, Chair Deborah Kafoury’s 2016 proposed budget is $1.7 billion, with more than $90 million in expected new revenue over the current budget.
There are lots of places that money can go wrong. We’re happy to see it go right.
Kafoury has a well-established reputation as a put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is advocate for the poor. With the combined initiatives from her fellow commissioners, this budget is no exception.
The budget dedicates $2 million in ongoing funds to place more vulnerable people into housing by leveraging a combination of approaches. It is expected this funding will place 125 households into permanent housing, with a focus on families with children, veterans, the elderly and disabled. In addition to housing placement efforts, the budget has alloted $5 million to one-time only funds to build new affordable housing units for an additional 125 families.
Housing options for the poor in this city, particularly people of color, are scarce growing ever scarcer in this city, with little interest from the private marketplace to correct the imbalance. It has to be the responsibility of our government, as the collective arm of the community, to foster the opportunity of housing for all, and Multnomah County is doing this in tandem with the cities of Portland and Gresham, nonprofits and other philanthropic partners.
The more immediate need exists as well, and the county budget has earmarked $90,000 toward year-round shelter for families. The city has also expanded its year-round services for homeless individuals. Of the nearly 4,000 people counted as homeless in Multnomah County in January, nearly half were unsheltered on the streets. Securing shelter will save lives and provide the essential first step to stability, services, housing and independence.
This budget connects the dots. In addition to direct services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness, it weaves a stronger network around education, health care and public safety.
The county proposes expanding the SUN school program to Parkrose, Gresham and Reynolds school districts, with additional funds dedicated to culturally specific case management services for African American children in East County.
The budget includes $450,000 of new funding for culturally specific mental health services in schools to help kids access care. Currently, of the more than 140 schools in Mutlnomah County, only 1 in 4 have a dedicated mental health consultant.
Beyond schools, the budget has dedicated more than $1.5 million toward outpatient mental health services for underserved communities of color. It’s part of the county’s ongoing work to partner with communities of color whose members experience a lower life expectancy and higher rates of disease and poverty. The county is also a funding partner in the new Behavioral Health Center to provide immediate services for people in a mental health crisis.
The budget includes new investments to improve school attendance rates, increase the financial literacy and opportunities for low-income families, and prevent youth violence. The latter includes a coordinated effort with the court system, juvenile services, schools and law enforcement to divert first-time offenders away from the justice system and back to stability.
Chair Kafoury says the goal of the budget is to equip county employees with the means to best serve our community. As people on the front lines know — and this budget reflects — it’s all connected.
