Washington County commissioners voted unanimously on July 28 to send $2 million in gap funding to Project Homeless Connect for construction of its Hillsboro Access Center, filling a shortfall in a project the county first backed in late 2024.

The money comes from one-time Supportive Housing Services funds, the voter-approved regional measure that raises roughly $250 million a year across Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas counties to address homelessness.

Tigard-area residents pay into the SHS fund through the same income tax that all county taxpayers contribute.

The five-member Board of Commissioners approved the funding as part of its consent agenda at the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building in Hillsboro. Commissioner Jason Snider moved to approve; Commissioner Pam Treece seconded.

In December 2024, the county had announced $42.3 million in SHS capital investments that included the original award for the Hillsboro Access Center. "One-time investments in access centers and transitional housing paired with ongoing funding for onsite services are only possible through the 2020 Supportive Housing Services measure," Chair Kathryn Harrington said in December 2024, when the county first announced the project. The $2 million approved July 28 covers a construction cost gap that emerged after that initial commitment.

THPRD annexation adds 12.3 acres

In a separate action, the board held a public hearing on annexing approximately 12.3 acres to the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District. No members of the public testified.

Carol Johnson and Tricia Guarisco of the county's Land Use & Transportation department presented the proposal, and commissioners approved it 5-0, with Commissioner Nafisa Fai making the motion and Treece seconding.

The annexation took effect immediately.

It is the largest of three THPRD annexations the board has approved this year, following a 9.63-acre annexation on June 2 and a roughly 3-acre annexation on July 7.

Other actions

Commissioners also voted 5-0 to approve revised charter and bylaws for the Advisory Council on Racial Equity, presented by Alicia Sojourner, director of Access and Opportunity, and Barry Johnson-Smith, ACRE co-chair. All five commissioners commented during the discussion.

During public comment, three residents spoke against the Century Boulevard Extension project: Leif Eccles, Talon Bevan, and Pam Code, who also submitted written testimony.

The board adjourned at 7:17 p.m. The next meeting date is posted on the county's board website.