(2) The Oregon Housing Stability Council shall develop a policy for the use of program funds with the advice of:
(a) Persons who have experienced housing instability;
(b) Tribes;
(c) The Community Action Partnership of Oregon;
(d) Continuums of care, as defined in 24 C.F.R. part 578;
(e) Local governments;
(f) Nonprofit organizations;
(g) Homeless services providers;
(h) Culturally specific organizations;
(i) Housing providers;
(j) Veterans’ services organizations; and
(k) Other entities identified by the department by rule.
(3) The policy under subsection (2) of this section shall direct that program funds shall be used:
(a) To provide to low and very low income individuals, including but not limited to individuals more than 65 years of age, persons with disabilities, agricultural workers and Native Americans:
(A) Emergency shelters and attendant services;
(B) Transitional housing services designed to assist individuals to make the transition from homelessness to permanent housing and economic independence;
(C) Supportive housing services to enable individuals to continue living in their own homes or to provide in-home services for such individuals for whom suitable programs do not exist in their geographic area;
(D) Programs that provide emergency payment of home payments, rents or utilities; or
(E) Some or all of the needs described in subparagraphs (A) to (D) of this paragraph.
(b) To align with federal strategies and resources that are available to prevent and end homelessness, including the requirement of providing culturally responsive services and using evidence-based and emerging practices effective in ending homelessness, including practices unique to rural communities.
(4)(a) The council shall require as a condition of awarding a grant that the organization demonstrate to the satisfaction of the council that the organization:
(A) Has the capacity to deliver any service proposed by the organization;
(B) Is a culturally responsive organization or is engaged in a process to become a culturally responsive organization;
(C) Engages with culturally specific organizations; and
(D) Supports local homelessness system planning efforts.
(b) Any funds granted under this section may not be used to replace existing funds. Funds granted under this section may be used to supplement existing funds. An organization may use funds to support existing programs or to establish new programs.
(5) The department may expend funds from the account for:
(a) The administration of the account as provided for in the legislatively approved budget, as that term is defined in ORS 291.002, for the department in support of directing a statewide policy on homelessness that ensures use of evidence-based and emerging practices, service equity in funding and local planning processes.
(b) The development of technical assistance and training resources for organizations developing and operating emergency shelters as defined in ORS 197.782 and transitional housing accommodations as described in ORS 197.746.
(6) The department shall utilize outcome-oriented contracting processes and evidence-based and emerging practices for account program funds, including evidence-based and emerging practices for serving rural communities.
(7) Twenty-five percent of moneys deposited in the account pursuant to ORS 294.187 are dedicated to the emergency housing assistance program for assistance to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. [1991 c.740 §7; 2007 c.70 §268; 2011 c.605 §2; 2013 c.646 §3; 2015 c.180 §27; 2017 c.350 §1; 2019 c.576 §5; 2021 c.18 §7; 2021 c.448 §5a]
Note: Sections 8 to 12, chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021, provide:
Sec. 8. Section 9 of this 2021 Act is added to and made a part of ORS 458.600 to 458.665. [2021 c.18 §8]
Sec. 9. Assistance for low-barrier emergency shelters. (1) As used in this section, "low-barrier emergency shelter" means an emergency shelter, as defined in section 2 of this 2021 Act [197.782], that follows established best practices to deliver shelter services that minimize barriers and increase access to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
(2) The Housing and Community Services Department shall award grants and provide technical assistance to organizations to fund:
(a) The construction, purchase or lease of facilities to be used as low-barrier emergency shelters;
(b) The operation, use or staffing of low-barrier emergency shelters, including the costs to provide clients with access to the shelters;
(c) The development or use of amenities or facilities that provide no-cost services to individuals and families who are homeless, including restroom and hygiene facilities, laundry facilities, dining facilities, storage for personal property, meeting or gathering spaces and facilities providing case management services; or
(d) Rapid rehousing services and supports for individuals and families.
(3) In awarding grants and providing technical assistance under this section, the department shall:
(a) Ensure that funds are distributed among different regions of the state; and
(b) Prioritize funding areas of highest need as identified in the August 2019 Oregon Statewide Shelter Study.
(4) Grants under this section must be awarded:
(a) Through a competitive process that emphasizes collaborative proposals; or
(b) To one or more community action agencies. [2021 c.18 §9]
Sec. 10. Grants for navigation centers. (1) As used in this section, "navigation center" means a low-barrier emergency shelter, as defined in section 9 of this 2021 Act, that is open seven days per week and connects individuals and families with health services, permanent housing and public benefits.
(2) The Oregon Department of Administrative Services may award grants to local governments to:
(a) Plan the location, development or operations of a navigation center;
(b) Construct, purchase or lease a building for use as a navigation center;
(c) Operate a navigation center that has been constructed, purchased or leased under paragraph (b) of this subsection; or
(d) Contract for the performance of activities in this subsection.
(3) The department shall require that each local government receiving a grant under this section agree to return all moneys granted unless the local government has developed a navigation center that is operating on or before July 1, 2022. [2021 c.18 §10]
Sec. 11. Use of Emergency Housing Account. Notwithstanding ORS 458.650 (3) and (4), the Housing and Community Services Department may expend funds from the Emergency Housing Account to award grants and provide technical assistance under section 9, chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021. [2021 c.18 §11; 2021 c.448 §5b]
Sec. 12. (1) Sections 9 and 10, chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021, are repealed on January 2, 2024.
(2) Section 11, chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021, as amended by section 5b of this 2021 Act [section 5b, chapter 448, Oregon Laws 2021], is repealed on January 2, 2024. [2021 c.18 §12; 2021 c.448 §5c]