Multnomah County, Ore. (April 2, 2026) — Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson today announced that Nathaniel VerGow has been selected as the next Director of Multnomah County’s Homeless Services Department, pending approval by the Board of Commissioners later this month.
VerGow, who most recently served as the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s (LAHSA) deputy chief program officer, was selected through a national search that drew 110 candidates.
VerGow stood out because of his extensive experience in Los Angeles County, where he managed hundreds of employees and led a strategic redesign of LAHSA’s programs and systems. That work strengthened capacity by managing new funding and an increase in shelter beds, improving performance management and oversight, and introducing a culture of data-driven decision-making, including new progress dashboards.
VerGow’s accomplishments include:
- Not only expanding but transforming the Los Angeles area’s shelter system, adding beds while introducing new models to better serve couples and non-congregate shelter options, including resources for couples
- Managing relationships and building alignment across jurisdictions (Los Angeles city and County) and community partners around homeless services.
- Managing the Los Angeles region’s homeless services system’s COVID-19 response, keeping people safe while preserving core services.
- Overseeing the launch of a centralized tool for real-time tracking of available shelter beds.
- Leading work to centralize rental assistance payments, improving the experience for recipients while minimizing administrative burdens and reducing administrative costs.
VerGow also has direct front-line experience as a case manager, housing and outreach manager, and as director of a behavioral health project. And he is committed to ensuring access not only to affordable housing but the support services people need to thrive in a home of their own remains a priority for Multnomah County.
“Nathaniel is the right person to lead the Homeless Services Department at this pivotal time,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “Helping people leave homelessness for housing — and preventing homelessness in the first place — are core to the County’s values. And Nathaniel understands that delivering on that vision will require the operational excellence, management experience, coordination, and front-line perspective he’s fostered throughout his career.”
“Multnomah County’s vision of integrating homeless services with affordable housing aligns closely with my values and experience,” VerGow says, noting his approach to the work includes balancing technical and operational excellence “with the human imperative of ensuring that programs have a lasting, positive impact on the individuals and communities they serve.”
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners must approve VerGow’s appointment. Pending that approval, VerGow is expected to take over the Homeless Services Department on May 4.
Anna Plumb, deputy director of the Homeless Services, has served with distinction as interim director since May 2025. She will remain at the Homeless Services Department as deputy director to work with VerGow.