Multnomah County Appoints New Homeless Services Director

LA-area official to lead Portland's efforts amid ongoing homelessness crisis.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:53pm by

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A vibrant, silkscreen-style grid of a single homeless shelter object, such as a sleeping bag or park bench, rendered in a pop art style with bold, neon colors and heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the resources available to support the homeless community.A bold, colorful celebration of the community resources aimed at supporting Portland's homeless population as the city welcomes new leadership to address this ongoing crisis.Portland Today

In a split vote, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has appointed a new director to oversee the region's homeless services. The new director, who previously worked in the Los Angeles area, will take on the challenge of addressing Portland's persistent homelessness issues.

Why it matters

Homelessness remains a major concern in the Portland metro area, with the city struggling to provide adequate housing and support services. The appointment of this new director signals Multnomah County's efforts to tackle the crisis with fresh leadership and a new approach.

The details

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint the new homeless services director, who previously worked in the Los Angeles area, in a split decision on Thursday. The new director will be tasked with overseeing the region's efforts to address the ongoing homelessness crisis in Portland and the surrounding areas.

  • The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted on the appointment on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Multnomah County Board of Commissioners

The governing body of Multnomah County, Oregon, which includes the city of Portland and surrounding areas.

New Homeless Services Director

The newly appointed director who previously worked in the Los Angeles area and will now lead Portland's efforts to address homelessness.

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What they’re saying

“I hope to prove you wrong and show that I can make a real difference in addressing homelessness in this community.”

— New Homeless Services Director

What’s next

The new homeless services director will begin their role in the coming weeks and will work closely with local officials and community organizations to develop and implement new strategies to address homelessness in the Portland metro area.

The takeaway

The appointment of a new homeless services director from the Los Angeles area signals Multnomah County's commitment to tackling the persistent homelessness crisis with fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of urgency.