Multnomah County homelessness likely to rise amid cuts

Driving the news: Funds for homeless outreach, shelter and eviction prevention are dropping while the costs for all those services are going up, Anna Plumb, deputy director of homeless services, told county commissioners this week, per the Oregonian.

• The county will likely need to close six shelters and five day centers while cutting back on outreach and job training, Plumb said.

By the numbers: More than 18,000 people were experiencing homelessness in February, according to county data.

• Under most scenarios, some of which count on money with no identified source, homelessness was still projected to rise to at least 20,000 by June of next year.

What's next: Commissioners have already started proposing amendments to the budget and the next public hearing will take place at Mt. Hood Community College May 13 at 6pm.

• Commissioners are expected to vote on a final budget this summer.