HB 3970
Modifies the list of persons who may receive services and assistance funded by the Emergency Housing Account.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
96%
Oppose
4%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill modifies how the Emergency Housing Account can be used to support people experiencing homelessness, particularly youth. It directs the Department of Human Services and the Housing and Community Services Department to develop recommendations for funding youth homelessness programs and establishes grant programs for these youth. The bill also expands the list of eligible recipients to include school-aged children, pregnant individuals, and infants, and emphasizes culturally responsive services and evidence-based practices.
Key provisions
- Directs DHS and HCSD to develop funding recommendations for youth experiencing homelessness.
- Establishes grant programs for youth experiencing homelessness.
- Expands the list of eligible recipients to include school-aged children, pregnant individuals, and infants.
- Requires grant recipients to demonstrate cultural responsiveness and engagement with culturally specific organizations.
- Allocates funds for in-house training for child-caring agencies and contractors serving youth experiencing homelessness.
- Creates a youth substance use disorder treatment grant program.
- Establishes a behavioral and mental health grant program for youth experiencing homelessness.
- Designates 25% of the Emergency Housing Account for veterans experiencing homelessness.
Who is affected
- Youth experiencing homelessness
- Families of homeless youth
- Department of Human Services
- Housing and Community Services Department
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 3970 emphasize the urgent need to address Oregon's youth homelessness crisis by providing urgently needed funding to sustain and strengthen the state's youth shelter system. They highlight the critical role of a full continuum of services, including housing support, behavioral health resources, and education initiatives, in stabilizing the lives of unaccompanied houseless youth and families. Advocates argue that investing in these services can improve educational outcomes, reduce homelessness among young adults, and ultimately save taxpayer dollars by preventing adult homelessness. By declaring a state of emergency on youth homelessness, the bill aims to provide infrastructure for targeted investments and coordinated interagency responses to address this critical issue, with supporters citing success stories and personal experiences highlighting the life-changing impact of these services.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the bill argue that it represents a misguided allocation of funds, diverting resources away from pressing issues such as maintaining Oregon's infrastructure. They contend that prioritizing funding for social services, including programs benefiting homeless individuals and families, is essential to addressing the state's most vulnerable populations. Critics also point out that budget reallocation efforts could potentially harm taxpayers, particularly those who rely on existing social safety nets. Furthermore, opponents suggest that a narrow focus on serving only homeless children through non-profit corporations may not effectively address the root causes of homelessness and may even perpetuate inefficiencies in the system.