Readers respond: Restore funding for Old Town peer support

Our community wants services for the homeless that are practical, use money wisely and truly help those in need. The Old Town InReach Program, launched in 2022, delivers exactly that – and more. Yet, Multnomah County plans to eliminate funding for it in the FY 2025-26 budget. This decision is deeply concerning.

The program deploys eight peer support specialists in teams across six Old Town nonprofits: Blanchet House, Lift UP, Red Door, Rose Haven, Street Roots and William Temple House. Managed by the Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon, these specialists connect with hundreds of individuals each day, offering referrals to shelter, recovery, medical care and more.

Crucially, the program bridges the gap between agencies. Clients often access services from multiple organizations, and the Old Town InReach Program provides the continuity and consistency that siloed systems lack. The teams not only respond to crises, they help stabilize clients, and ensure more effective access to services. The teams reduce our need to involve emergency response when shelter or mental health support is what is needed. Preventing crises benefits our nearby businesses and neighbors, while connecting clients with lifesaving services.

All this for just $900,000 a year. The Old Town program is the definition of smart, efficient investment through meaningful collaboration and shared resources.

At a time when Portland is desperate for real solutions to homelessness and behavioral health crises, this program should be celebrated – not cut. We urge Multnomah County to restore funding and preserve this essential lifeline for our community.

Scott Kerman, Katie O’Brien, and Graham Craft