Resolution 2023.2 The Unhoused (2/27/2023)

WHEREAS; in a democracy which values human life, shelter from the elements and a place where you belong and can protect your “belongings” is a basic human right, and

WHEREAS; homelessness is a significant issue but can be solved using evidence-based policies and coordination of efforts at every level and allowing for flexibility in adapting to local needs, and

WHEREAS; homelessness unjustly affects military veterans, people of color, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, older adults, and single adults with children, and

WHEREAS; homelessness often has long-term health and economic effects on the individual, the community also experiences increased engagement of first responders, hospital emergency, and criminal justice services resulting in expenditures that can be more than the cost to simply house the individual, and

 WHEREAS; children experiencing homelessness have additional obstacles to educational success, and

WHEREAS; public housing has been underfunded for decades, resulting in 36 available housing units for every 100 eligible applicants; it will take a combination of increased federal and state Housing Choice Voucher funding to compensate for these years of deferred investment, and

WHEREAS; the United States has made recent improvements in reducing homelessness, especially for military veterans, accommodations are still in insufficient supply for those in need of mental health treatment, for those in need of an environment safe from domestic abusers, for children without stable homes, and

WHEREAS; attention to those already homeless is a priority, landlords can help reduce the number of newly homeless by coordinating with housing assistance agencies prior to issuing eviction notices for lack of payment, and providing information regarding renter assistance programs in the hope of avoiding the need for eviction and possible homelessness for the renter, without undermining the landlord deserved protections against unacceptable renter behavior, and

WHEREAS; while the Clatsop County Democratic Central Committee supports the governor’s state of emergency edict concerning homelessness, CCDCC is disappointed Clatsop County is not included within the regions covered by the edict, and 

WHEREAS; most regions of Oregon are dealing with homelessness, Clatsop County has the highest rate per capita of any county in the state, and is therefore deserving of homelessness emergency status, and

WHEREAS; Clatsop County has overnight shelter for the unhoused available only on the coldest nights of the year for a limited time period, and

WHEREAS; Most of the Clatsop County Commissioners continue attempts to open more areas to short term rentals, reducing availability of affordable and low-income housing, instead of focusing attention on getting people off the streets and into permanent housing, 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Clatsop County Democratic Central Committee acknowledges the recent availability of Measure 110 programs, Seaside’s work to provide legal camping for the unhoused, and the renewed sense of cooperation within and between agencies as real progress in dealing with local issues but recognizes the extreme needs that still exist within the county and supports legislation at all levels of government, focused on equitable distribution of funding to vulnerable populations, not just in declared emergency zones but also in Clatsop County, that provide increases in addiction and mental health services, shelters for the unhoused open year-round, and transitional housing capacity.

The Party hopes to work cooperatively with interested groups such as the County, Lifeboat Services, the Astoria Warming Center, Helping Hands, cities within the County, CCA, and other organizations focused on reducing homelessness. The Party also supports Governor Kotek’s budget targeting the housing crisis, and we are hopeful that legislation this session addresses our concerns.