Oregon legislation · 2025 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB3970: Relating to youth homelessness; and declaring an emergency.
Status: Chaptered, August 7, 2025
Digest: The Act changes the list of people who can get some funding for homelessness. (Flesch Readability Score: 71.7). [ Digest: The Act tells DHS and HCSD to work on recommendations for funding to meet the needs of youth in homelessness. The Act changes the list of people who can get some funding for homelessness. The Act establishes grant programs for youth in homelessness. (Flesch Readability Score: 64.4). ] [ Directs the Department of Human Services and the Housing and Community Services Department to collaborate on recommendations for funding to meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness. ] Modifies the list of persons who may receive services and assistance funded by the Emergency Housing Account. [ Establishes grant programs for youth experiencing homelessness. ] Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, June 26, 2025:
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session House Bill 3970 Sponsored by Representatives LEVY E, PHAM H, Senator REYNOLDS; Representatives CHOTZEN, DOBSON, FRAGALA, GAMBA, GOMBERG, NGUYEN H, Senators MANNING JR, NERON, PATTERSON, SOLLMAN CHAPTER ................................................. Relating to youth homelessness; amending ORS 458.650; and declaring an emergency. SECTION 1. ORS 458.650 is amended to read: 458.650. (1) The Housing and Community Services Department shall administer the Emergency Housing Account to assist homeless individuals and individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless, through means including the emergency housing assistance program and the state homeless assistance program. Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a) of this section, the state homeless assistance program shall serve individuals experiencing homelessness, especially unsheltered homelessness, without respect to income. (2) The Oregon Housing Stability Council shall develop a policy for the use of program funds with the advice (b) Tribes; (c) The Community Action Partnership of Oregon; (d) Continuums of care, as defined in 24 C.F.R. part 578; (e) Local governments; (f) Nonprofit organizations; (g) Homeless services providers; (h) Culturally specific organizations; (i) Housing providers; (j) Veterans' services organizations; and (k) Other entities identified by the department by rule. (3) The policy under subsection (2) of this section shall direct that program funds shall be used: (a) To provide to low and very low income individuals, including but not limited to individuals …