Multnomah County drops race and LGBTQ criteria from homeless aid scoring

Multnomah County, which encompasses most of Portland, has eliminated race and LGBTQIA2S+ considerations from its points-based allocation of homeless housing support. The original rubric awarded extra points for interest in culturally specific services, making it harder for straight white applicants to reach the 16-19 point threshold needed for aid. The revision comes after a class-action lawsuit by disabled white woman Michele Mei, who claimed the former system barred her from rent relief, and after the Trump administration’s Justice and Housing departments launched probes.

County spokeswoman Julia Comnes said the update aligns the Homeless Services Department with shifting federal guidance. While the county will not discuss the ongoing case, officials acknowledge the move is a significant concession from earlier claims of full legal compliance. HUD Secretary Scott Turner previously criticized the county’s race-based approach as both unlawful and ineffective.