Housing and Food Insecurity
We must take a multifaceted approach to homelessness, aiming to provide immediate housing solutions while also addressing the underlying causes and providing necessary support and services to help individuals and families transition out of homelessness. Together, we can overcome housing and food insecurity in this country by:
- Making a housing-first approach. That means, prioritizing immediate access to permanent housing as a crucial first step towards stability, before addressing underlying problems or other needs and challenges individuals may face. These may include systemic issues like inequality, a lack of affordable housing, poverty, or mental health issues.
- Coordinating services for wraparound support. Wraparound support means connecting individuals experiencing homelessness to health care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, food, and employment resources.
- Collaborating with local governments and community organizations. The Portland metro has many engaged organizations working to address homelessness. We must better collaborate to implement comprehensive strategies addressing homelessness at the grassroots level.
- Early action to prevent housing insecurity escalating into homelessness. Focus on prevention strategies to stop individuals and families from becoming homeless, including rental assistance programs, eviction prevention measures, and access to supportive services.
- Increased funding for housing assistance and investments in affordable housing. I will continue to advocate for increased funding and expansion of rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, to help individuals and families keep a roof over their heads. Read more on that here.
- Increase access to affordable, quality nutrition. I will support policies to eliminate food deserts, increase funding for federal nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC, and fortify programs that help our most vulnerable get fed — including reduced and free school meals, Meals on Wheels, and local food banks.