Requires the Department of Human Services to update its 2022 estimate of costs to implement youth experiencing homelessness programs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
House Bill 3079
Sponsored by Representative LEVY E, Senators REYNOLDS, PATTERSON, Representatives MCLAIN, NGUYEN
H, PHAM H, Senator BROADMAN; Representatives ANDERSEN, GOMBERG, HARTMAN, NOSSE,
OSBORNE, Senators ANDERSON, FREDERICK, SOLLMAN, TAYLOR (Presession filed.)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: The Act tells DHS to submit some plans to the Legislative Assembly about homeless
youth and it makes changes to who can get help with housing. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.0).
Requires the Department of Human Services to update its 2022 estimate of costs to implement
youth experiencing homelessness programs. Requires the Department of Human Services and the
Housing and Community Services Department to study options for allocating 30 percent of their
respective budgets in the 2027-2029 biennium toward reducing the number of youth aging into adult
homelessness. Directs the Department of Human Services to submit findings to the interim commit-
tees of the Legislative Assembly related to housing and human services not later than September
15, 2026. Sunsets on January 2, 2027.
Expands eligibility for emergency housing.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to youth homelessness; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 458.650.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
In its 2026 report to the interim legislative committees required under ORS
417.799, the Department of Human Services shall update the estimates that it provided in its
2022 report pursuant to section 5, chapter 42, Oregon Laws 2022, of the additional funding
necessary to implement or extend youth experiencing homelessness programs to reflect the
increase in costs since 2022 attributable to inflation and increased salary expenses.
SECTION 2. The Department of Human Services and the Housing and Community Ser-
vices Department shall study options for allocating 30 percent of their respective budgets
attributable to funding for housing and homelessness services in the biennium beginning July
1, 2027, toward reducing the number of youth aging into adult homelessness, including
through funding for youth programs and programs addressing the needs of families with
youth under 25 years of age. The Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the
Housing and Community Services Department, shall submit a report in the manner provided
by ORS 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees
of the Legislative Assembly related to housing and human services no later than September
15, 2026.
SECTION 3.
ORS 458.650 is amended to read:
458.650. (1) The Housing and Community Services Department shall administer the Emergency
Housing Account to assist homeless individuals and individuals who are at risk of becoming
homeless, through means including the emergency housing assistance program and the state
homeless assistance program. Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a) of this section, the state homeless
assistance program shall serve individuals experiencing homelessness, especially unsheltered
homelessness, without respect to income.
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [ italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 3515
HB 3079
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
(2) The Oregon Housing Stability Council shall develop a policy for the use of program funds
with the advice of:
(a) Persons who have experienced housing instability;
(b) Tribes;
(c) The Community Action Partnership of Oregon;
(d) Continuums of care, as defined in 24 C.F.R. part 578;
(e) Local governments;
(f) Nonprofit organizations;
(g) Homeless services providers;
(h) Culturally specific organizations;
(i) Housing providers;
(j) Veterans’ services organizations; and
(k) Other entities identified by the department by rule.
(3) The policy under subsection (2) of this section shall direct that program funds shall be used:
(a) To provide to low and very low income individuals, including but not limited to individuals
more than 65 years of age, persons with disabilities, agricultural workers and Native Americans:
(A) Emergency shelters and attendant services;
(B) Transitional housing services designed to assist individuals to make the transition from
homelessness to permanent housing and economic independence;
(C) Supportive housing services to enable individuals to continue living in their own homes or
to provide in-home services for such individuals for whom suitable programs do not exist in their
geographic area;
(D) Programs that provide emergency payment of home payments, rents or utilities;
(E) Support for individuals with companion animals, as defined in ORS 401.977, that includes:
(i) Food for both companion animals and their owners;
(ii) Crates or kennels on-site or off-site that are easily accessible to the companion animal
owners;
(iii) Basic veterinary services, including behavioral services; and
(iv) Rules of conduct and responsibility regarding companion animals and their owners; or
(F) Some or all of the services or assistance described in subparagraphs (A) to (E) of this para-
graph.
(b) To provide the services and assistance described in paragraph (a) of this subsection to
[school-aged children enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 ] the following individuals , or to
their families, [ who] if the individuals are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless[ .]:
(A) Individuals who are school-aged children enrolled in or of an age to be eligible to be
enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12;
(B) Individuals who are pregnant; or
(C) Individuals between birth and an age eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten.
(c) To align with federal strategies and resources that are available to prevent and end
homelessness, including the requirement of providing culturally responsive services and using
evidence-based and emerging practices effective in ending homelessness, including practices unique
to rural communities.
(4)(a) The council shall require as a condition of awarding a grant that the organization dem-
onstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the organization:
(A) Has the capacity to deliver any service proposed by the organization;
[2]
HB 3079
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
(B) Is a culturally responsive organization or is engaged in a process to become a culturally
responsive organization;
(C) Engages with culturally specific organizations; and
(D) Supports local homelessness system planning efforts.
(b) Any funds granted under this section may not be used to replace existing funds. Funds
granted under this section may be used to supplement existing funds. An organization may use funds
to support existing programs or to establish new programs.
(5) The department may expend funds from the account for:
(a) The administration of the account as provided for in the legislatively approved budget, as
that term is defined in ORS 291.002, for the department in support of directing a statewide policy
on homelessness that ensures use of evidence-based and emerging practices, service equity in fund-
ing and local planning processes.
(b) The development of technical assistance and training resources for organizations developing
and operating emergency shelters as defined in ORS 197.782 and transitional housing accommo-
dations as described in ORS 197.746.
(6) The department shall utilize outcome-oriented contracting processes and evidence-based and
emerging practices for account program funds, including evidence-based and emerging practices for
serving rural communities.
(7) Twenty-five percent of moneys deposited in the account pursuant to ORS 294.187 are dedi-
cated to the emergency housing assistance program for assistance to veterans who are homeless or
at risk of becoming homeless.
SECTION 4.
Sections 1 and 2 of this 2025 Act are repealed on January 2, 2027.
[3]