Joint Office Contract Payout System: Underworked and Overpaid

Mikayla Coyier

In May, 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 26-210, a regional supportive housing services fund paid for by our tax dollars. The fund is meant to support organizations with programs that help move homeless people into housing and stop people from entering homelessness. But, there’s an issue. The money isn’t being spent. Reports show that by the end of the third quarter in 2023, only half of the intended $83.4 million was spent. Why? Fingers point to the Joint Office of Homeless Service contract payout system.

Portland Oregon has several nonprofit organizations serving those facing risks of homelessness, many in which stay afloat with the help of our tax dollars. Self Enhancement, Inc is a comprehensive, one stop resource in Portland aiming to provide support for youth and families living in poverty. Like several other nonprofits, SEI is partially funded by the regional supportive housing services fund which is overseen by the Joint Office of Homeless Services.

 

When nonprofits sign a contract for funding with the Joint Office, they don’t see the money until after the services on the contract are carried out. But nonprofit contractors can’t afford to pay competitive wages and retain employees to carry out services for those in need.

Employees at nonprofits like SEI are underpaid and overworked. Witnessing the struggles and hardships of clients facing homelessness takes a toll on the mental and emotional well-being of staff. Burnout and turnover are common; high demand for services and limited resources in the nonprofit sector leads to heavy workloads and long hours. The employees are hard to retain at the pay they receive when realizing they can work at a Taco Bell or Target for the same income and take home less stress. Others look to similar jobs at Multnomah County where they can make at least $3.50 more an hour. Director of SEI, Sahaan McKelvey, says due to the lack of funding and therefore low wages, his staff often qualify for the programs they provide creating an even more challenging working environment.

It is collectively known that low wages and the inability to retain employees is the reason our tax dollars aren’t being put to use and preventing those in need from receiving help. Local leaders are joining the call for competitive wages for nonprofit contractors. Andrew Hoan, Portland Business Alliance president made his stance clear in a letter he wrote to three county chairs representing the Portland metro region; “we must urgently address the ability of our service providers to hire and retain front line and support workers to do the tough and often heroic work of helping our homeless neighbors get the services they need.”  Adjusting the Joint Office of Homeless Services contracting system to allow service providers access to funding will provide nonprofits a budget for competitive wages. 

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