Statewide Shelter Program - Regional Coordinators

The Oregon Housing and Community Services Department is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) for a Statewide Shelter Program seeking up to 36 Regional Coordinators to address the state's housing and homelessness crisis. The primary objective is to identify and fund organizations capable of coordinating shelter operations across at least one county, with a focus on maintaining and expanding shelter capacity, implementing low-barrier shelter practices, and increasing permanent housing placements. Eligible applicants must be local government entities or nonprofit organizations physically located in Oregon, with the ability to develop comprehensive regional assessments and plans. The program will run for five years, beginning July 1, 2026, with applications due by November 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time. Applicants will be evaluated on a 100-point scale across six key criteria: community engagement and coordination (24 points), shelter experience and strategies (24 points), fiscal administration and governance (16 points), subgrants and technical assistance (12 points), data management capabilities (12 points), and commitment to equity (12 points). A pre-application conference is scheduled for October 16, 2025, to provide additional guidance to potential applicants.

The RFA has specific restrictions on eligible respondents, requiring organizations to be physically located in Oregon and capable of serving at least one county region. The program emphasizes equity and requires applicants to maintain at least 70% low-barrier shelter beds and demonstrate a commitment to reducing racial disparities in homelessness response systems. While specific budget allocations are not precisely defined, the grant agreement indicates funding will include up to 15% for administrative costs, at least 50% for shelter operations, and provisions for street outreach and housing-focused activities. Grantees must develop regional assessments and plans for two assessment periods (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029 and July 1, 2029 - June 30, 2031), with submissions due by March 31 of the preceding years. The funding is authorized by House Bills 3644 and 5011 (2025) and will support efforts to prevent and end homelessness through regional shelter and housing initiatives, with a focus on increasing housing stability and reducing unsheltered populations across Oregon.