Governor Tina Kotek has introduced a new initiative aimed at addressing homelessness and supporting individuals with mental health challenges through a pilot program called Housing 360. The program is being launched with the support of $3.4 million in grants provided by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), the state’s housing finance agency.
Housing 360 is designed to assist individuals experiencing homelessness—particularly those with mental and behavioral health issues—by guiding them into stable housing situations and connecting them with essential health and social services. The program is part of the Governor’s broader strategy to reduce homelessness and improve mental health care across the state, issues that have been increasingly prominent in public discourse and legislative priorities in recent years.
The initiative comes as Oregon continues to face a growing homelessness crisis, exacerbated by rising housing costs, a shortage of affordable housing, and gaps in access to mental health treatment. According to data from OHCS and other state agencies, a significant portion of the unsheltered population in Oregon lives with untreated or under-treated mental health conditions, making traditional housing approaches less effective for long-term stability.
Housing 360 is structured as a pilot program, meaning it will first be implemented on a smaller scale to assess its effectiveness and operational model before broader statewide application. The $3.4 million in state funding will be allocated to select communities or service providers who demonstrate readiness to deliver integrated support services. These services will likely include mental health treatment, case management, substance use support, and housing placement assistance.
By combining housing with wraparound services, the program aims to address the root causes that contribute to chronic homelessness among individuals living with mental illness. This approach aligns with the Housing First model, which prioritizes providing permanent housing as a foundational step toward stability, followed by voluntary access to supportive services.
While specific implementation details and regional partners have yet to be fully disclosed, the OHCS is expected to collaborate with local governments, non-profit service providers, and behavioral health organizations to identify participants and manage the logistics of the pilot. Performance metrics and outcomes will be tracked throughout the duration of the pilot to determine its scalability and cost-effectiveness.
The Housing 360 program is part of a series of state-led efforts aimed at transforming Oregon’s response to homelessness and mental health crises. Previous initiatives under Governor Kotek’s administration have included increased investments in affordable housing, emergency shelters, and mental health infrastructure. However, the persistent and visible nature of homelessness, particularly in urban areas like Portland, continues to challenge state and local leaders seeking long-term solutions.
The introduction of Housing 360 reflects a growing recognition that homelessness cannot be addressed solely through housing development, but must also take into account the complex personal and systemic barriers faced by individuals with behavioral health issues. Advocates for mental health reform have long called for more integrated service models that address housing stability and clinical support in tandem.
In the coming months, state officials are expected to release further details about the pilot’s rollout, including the locations of participating communities and timelines for implementation. Community engagement and cross-sector collaboration will likely be key components of the pilot’s strategy, with an emphasis on localized solutions tailored to specific regional needs.
If successful, Housing 360 could serve as a model for future programs in Oregon and potentially influence policy approaches in other states facing similar challenges. The pilot’s performance will be closely monitored by both policymakers and stakeholders in housing and health care sectors, who are seeking scalable, sustainable approaches to reducing homelessness and supporting vulnerable populations.
As the state moves forward with this initiative, the effectiveness of Housing 360 will depend on the collaboration between state agencies, local governments, non-profits, and community health providers—all working toward the shared goal of ensuring safe, stable housing and improved well-being for Oregon’s most vulnerable residents.