Multnomah County to limit tent distribution to severe cold weather events

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Multnomah County is changing its tent distribution guidelines to only hand them out during severe cold weather events.

Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced the change during a budget work session with other county leaders on Wednesday. She said the decision was made in collaboration with the Homeless Services Department after the department changed its guidelines in 2024.

“Our goal is to make sure people in our community are safe and housed,” Vega Pederson said. “As we build more shelter beds and place more people in housing, our need to hand out supplies that help people survive outside will decrease -- which is a good thing -- and this rule reflects that.”

The county’s previous plan to end tent distribution in June 2024 was met with serious pushback from city leaders and community members alike before the practice was reinstated in October. 

Multnomah County’s policy until now has been to provide tents and tarps to nonprofits to give to the homeless under the stipulation of providing one tent per person.

However, the new plan shared on Wednesday will impose further limits on the gear bought and distributed by the county. Under the new rule, tents will be limited to cold weather events, but other items — including hygiene kits, basic first aid supplies, water, clothing, sleeping bags and blankets — will still be offered to those who need them.