Rapid Rehousing
Rental support is an essential strategy for Multnomah County’s efforts in addressing homelessness and improving housing accessibility and affordability. The Supportive Housing Services (SHS) measure provides additional resources for the County to enhance rental programs, meeting the urgent demand for safe housing among individuals through short-term rental assistance, while also supporting sustained housing stability through long-term rental assistance.
Through SHS and other funding sources, the County has invested significant dollars in Rapid Rehousing and other short-term rent assistance. While Rapid Rehousing is a necessary tool for situations requiring immediate crisis intervention, such as cases of domestic and sexual violence, it often falls short in resolving long-term affordability challenges for the general population. Current evaluations often lack the necessary duration to accurately assess housing stability and sustainability. Therefore, this budget note requests that the Chair direct the JOHS to provide a comprehensive report and briefing on the effectiveness of Rapid Rehousing as a tool for housing placement and stability to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners by December 31st, 2024.
This evaluation should delve into the utility of Rapid Rehousing and its alignment with long-term housing stability goals and should include the following evaluation of outcomes looking back over a three year period:
- Eviction rates of those who received Rapid Rehousing disaggregated by subsequent rental assistance or no additional rental assistance by type,
- The experiences of both the recipients and providers of Rapid Rehousing,
- The current housing status of those who received Rapid Rehousing disaggregated by subsequent rental assistance or no additional rental assistance by type, and
- The experiences of both the recipients and providers of Rapid Rehousing.
As rental costs continue to outpace accessible incomes, it's imperative to critically evaluate the effectiveness of Rapid Rehousing as a tool for housing placement and stability.
Evaluating outcomes beyond three years, including eviction rates and the experiences of both recipients and service providers, will provide a more nuanced understanding of the effectiveness and suitability of Rapid Rehousing as a housing intervention strategy. By doing so, the County can ensure that its resources are allocated optimally to address the complex challenges of homelessness and housing insecurity in our community.