After holding office for over a month, Democrat Tina Kotek, Oregon's first openly lesbian Governor, has sought to make good on a campaign promise to end homelessness in Oregon. 

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It is no secret that over the past few years, homelessness has skyrocketed all across Oregon. According to a report from the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon’s homeless population accounts for a total of 2.6% of all homeless in the United States—even though Oregon’s general population only accounts for 1.3% of the total population in the United States. 

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So far, Governor Kotek has declared homelessness a state of emergency, signed an executive order that established a statewide housing production goal of 36,000 houses per year, created the Housing Production Advisory Council, and directed state agencies to prioritize reducing homelessness in all areas of the state.

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Additionally, Governor Kotek requested the that Oregon Legislative Assembly approve a $130 million budget package that would aim to reduce unsheltered homelessness across the state.

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As Governor Kotek aims to quickly address the alarming crisis, one fact remains: thousands of Oregonians are currently living unsheltered. 

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Elected leaders, Democrats and Republicans alike, need to come together and approved Governor Kotek’s $130 million homelessness budget package and help protect Oregon’s homeless population. 

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