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Salem City Council to Vote on $200K Social Services Fund
Funding would help families impacted by federal immigration enforcement and other vulnerable community members.
Feb. 6, 2026 at 5:07pm
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The Salem City Council is considering launching a $200,000 pilot program to reestablish the city's social services fund. The funding would come from salary savings on vacant positions at the airport and in the city manager's office, and would be used to help people access healthcare, legal aid, and support those experiencing housing and food insecurity, including those impacted by federal immigration enforcement.
Why it matters
The demand for such funding originally came from a local nonprofit organization advocating for more resources for vulnerable community members, including those impacted by ICE actions. This pilot program is seen as an important step by the city to address the lack of funding attached to the recent emergency declaration concerning immigration enforcement.
The details
The council is scheduled to vote on the proposal at its Monday, Feb. 9 meeting. The initial proposal from the city's budget committee was for a $400,000 social services fund, but the city manager is proposing a $200,000 pilot program due to budget constraints. If approved, the city will evaluate fully reestablishing the social services fund as part of the upcoming budget process.
- The council is scheduled to vote on the proposal at its Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 meeting.
- The city expects a financial deficit by as soon as 2028 and is focused on reducing spending for the next five years.
The players
Salem City Council
The governing body of the city of Salem, Oregon that is considering the $200,000 social services fund proposal.
Evan Manvel
A member of the city's budget committee who initially proposed a $270,000 fund for those impacted by ICE.
Latinos Unidos Siempre
A nonprofit youth organization that has been advocating for local leaders to provide more resources for vulnerable community members, including those impacted by ICE actions.
Krishna Namburi
The Salem City Manager who is proposing the $200,000 pilot program due to budget constraints.
What they’re saying
“The need in the community is real and substantial. Residents are experiencing disruption and uncertainty in their daily lives.”
— Krishna Namburi, Salem City Manager
“We are focused on controlling costs now so we can proactively address that anticipated shortfall.”
— Krishna Namburi, Salem City Manager
What’s next
If approved, city staff will evaluate fully reestablishing the city's social services fund as part of its budget for the upcoming year, which would take effect in July.
The takeaway
This pilot program represents an important step by the Salem City Council to address the lack of funding and resources available to support vulnerable community members, including those impacted by federal immigration enforcement actions, despite the city's budget constraints.
