Joint Office of Homeless Services sees 28% increase of homeless placed in housing

Published 8:57 am Thursday, August 22, 2024

A new report from the Joint Office of Homeless Services shows that the office has helped nearly 5,500 people move into homes and leave homelessness during fiscal year 2023-24.

According to the office’s housing placement data, that number has increased by 1,211, or 28%, since the previous year — marking the biggest increase since the office first launched in July 2016. Additionally, the JOHS reported that nearly 7,900 people entered shelter in fiscal year 2023-24, which is an increase of more than 2,000 people, or nearly 35%.

The announcement follows the city of Portland and Multnomah County’s recent decision to continue funding the joint office with the hope of cutting the homeless population in half within two years.