Weakness in Multnomah County Economy Will Hold Back Homeless Services Tax Collections, Metro Says
Willamette Week••business
Key Points:
- Metro forecasts its Supportive Housing Services (SHS) levy will raise $351 million for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, an 8% increase from the prior year, but this includes a $40 million one-time payment from past business tax obligations.
- Excluding the one-time payment, SHS revenue remains flat due to economic weakness, especially in Multnomah County, which is lagging behind neighboring counties in the metro area.
- Critics argue that high taxes and poor services in Portland and Multnomah County are driving residents to relocate to surrounding counties, reducing local tax revenue and impacting service delivery.
- Despite revenue exceeding initial expectations set in 2020, counties have grown reliant on these higher collections
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