PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After Multnomah County stepped in to help prevent 80 asylum seekers in Portland from winding up homeless on the street earlier this month, they now say they will be able to keep them in motel rooms until May 31 — over a month longer than originally anticipated.
After the monetary support dried up from the local nonprofit Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice, those at risk expected to be put on the streets by April 5. However, Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced Thursday the funding will come from the same $55,000 from her office’s internal budget for the month.
Additionally, the owners of the motel agreed to give the asylum seekers discounts on their rooms, allowing the county funds to serve the families for twice as long as expected.
“Our hearts go out to these families, and we must do our best to welcome and support them. It will continue to be a priority for me to develop the solutions we need in the short and longer term,” said Vega Pederson. “It remains true that Multnomah County cannot solve this alone. We need all of our partners at the table, and I call on the state to do their part — including urgency in convening key stakeholders.”
To that end, the county is continuing to work with city, state and federal groups, as well as faith communities and philanthropies to work on actionable short-term solutions. Vega Pederson will also meet with Gov. Tina Kotek on Friday to discuss convening a statewide group to address the needs of current asylum seekers, as well as those who may need assistance in the future.
