Portland Mayor Seeks Funding from Neighboring Counties for Shelters

Wilson turns to other counties as Multnomah County faces budget shortfall for homeless services.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:24pm by Ben Kaplan

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Portland Mayor Keith Wilson is requesting millions of dollars in funding from neighboring counties to support the city's homeless shelter system, as Multnomah County, its usual partner, faces a financial crisis in its homeless services budget.

Why it matters

Portland's homeless population has grown rapidly in recent years, straining the city's resources. With Multnomah County unable to fully fund shelter operations, Mayor Wilson is seeking help from surrounding counties to ensure the city can maintain critical services for unhoused residents.

The details

Mayor Wilson is appealing to Clackamas, Washington, and Clark counties to contribute a combined $15 million annually to supplement Portland's homeless shelter funding. This move comes as Multnomah County grapples with a projected $20 million shortfall in its homeless services budget due to pandemic-related economic impacts and rising costs.

  • Mayor Wilson made the funding request in early April 2026.
  • Multnomah County is facing the $20 million budget shortfall in its homeless services for the upcoming fiscal year.

The players

Keith Wilson

The mayor of Portland, Oregon, who is seeking additional funding from neighboring counties to support the city's homeless shelter system.

Multnomah County

The county that has traditionally partnered with Portland to fund homeless services, but is now facing a $20 million budget shortfall in this area.

Clackamas County

One of the neighboring counties that Portland's mayor is appealing to for financial assistance with the city's homeless shelter system.

Washington County

Another neighboring county that Portland's mayor is requesting funding from to help support the city's homeless shelters.

Clark County

The third neighboring county that Portland's mayor is asking to contribute financially to the city's homeless shelter operations.

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What they’re saying

“We must come together as a region to ensure our most vulnerable residents have access to the support and services they need. The city can't shoulder this burden alone.”

— Keith Wilson, Mayor of Portland

What’s next

The neighboring counties will review Mayor Wilson's funding request and determine if they can contribute to Portland's homeless shelter system in the coming months.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the growing regional nature of homelessness and the need for greater coordination and resource-sharing between local governments to effectively address this complex issue.