4 days ago
How Multnomah County budget cuts would threaten homelessness peer support program
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County is currently in the midst of its budget process.
County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson's $4 billion proposal includes big investments in community safety and health, but also reduced funding for a number of homeless services amid a $77 million shortfall.
Among those services that could be eliminated is the Old Town Inreach Program (OTIP).
Started in 2022 by Scott Kerman of Blanchet House, OTIP pairs people experiencing homelessness with so-called peer support specialists – who have been through it themselves – connecting folks to services they need. OTIP is now a partnership with six Old Town social service providers.
Operated by the Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon, it currently receives $900,000 from Multnomah County.
Kerman and Katie O'Brien from Rose Haven – another OTIP partner – joined Eye on Northwest Politics to talk their efforts to save a program they say is working on the streets of Portland's Old Town.
Watch the full interview in the video above.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
