Forum on solutions to homelessness held in Tigard

TIGARD, Ore. — A special forum on advancing solutions to homelessness was held in Tigard on Wednesday night.

It brought together people from across the metro area and several sectors -- the community, nonprofits, education, businesses and politicians.

The event was hosted by community partners for affordable housing and included a panel with several speakers, including Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty.

"Our new governor Tina Kotek has made housing and homelessness a top priority and that really signaled to the state and every level of government, we need to be working on this too," she said. "Beaverton has already taken such an aggressive stance on dealing with these issues. We're kind of a big regional partner in that. We see housing and homelessness as a regional problem, and we're part of the solution. We're also part of the ideas."

Beaty said that Beaverton is close to securing the rest of the funding needed to open a year-round shelter, which would be the first in Washington County.

They’ve raised $10 million so far and need about $3 million more.