Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington County kicked-off its 10-year plan to end homelessness one year ago Friday. Now, as Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, about 100 extra people have roofs over their heads.

When county staff counted their homeless population in January, they found about 1200 people.

That’s down by about 100 according to homeless coordinator, Annette Evans. She says over the last year they’ve started a program where people who’ve received an eviction notice, can get a month of free rent.

The county is also about to open a new 10-bed transitional housing facility.

Annette Evans: “We’ve received lots of compliments from a lot of people who’ve accessed these services that wouldn’t have otherwise been able to get them, prior to the 10-year plan.”

Evans says they’re also trying to reduce the number of forms people have to fill out when they apply for help. But she says, the state’s high employment rate is hampering efforts to keep people off the streets.