WASHINGTON ‑ Sens. Gordon Smith (R‑OR) and Ron Wyden (D‑OR) announced Wednesday that Oregon will receive grants totaling $2,571,031 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Emergency Food and Shelter Program to supplement food shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for Oregonians with non-disaster related emergencies.

“Federal relief working in concert with local charities is the best way to aide Oregonians who face some serious and unexpected hardship,” said Smith. “The importance of helping out a neighbor isn’t lost in Oregon, and these funds are welcomed with enthusiasm.”

“With these funds, local aid and social service agencies will be able to direct money where the need is greatest and where funds will count the most,” said Wyden. “These grants are a great start at putting money into local hands to aid Oregonians.”

The EFS National Board, chaired by the DHS’ Federal Emergency Management Agency, is composed of representatives from national charities and relief organizations which provide supplemental funding to shelters, soup kitchens, food banks, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance programs.

In each jurisdiction funded, a local board advertises the availability to the funds, establishes local priorities, selects local non-profit and government agencies to receive supplemental funding, and monitors program compliance. The local board’s composition mirrors the EFS National Board, with a local government official selected by members of the local board replacing FEMA as the chair.

The following jurisdictions are receiving funds:

· $1,165,882 to Portland/Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington Counties
· $230,856 to Salem/Marion, Polk Counties
· $12,509 to Baker County
· $29,477 to Benton County
· $22,353 to Clatsop County
· $43,595 to Columbia County
· $41,560 to Coos County
· $14,655 to Crook County
· $10,954 to Curry County
· $94,222 to Deschutes County
· $79,123 to Douglas County
· $6,902 to Grant County
· $6,846 to Harney County
· $20,854 to Hood River County
· $121,201 to Jackson County
· $11,195 to Jefferson County
· $47,463 to Josephine County
· $50,368 to Klamath County
· $6,014 to Lake County
· $218,866 to Lane County
· $30,550 to Lincoln County
· $95,333 to Linn County
· $25,573 to Malheur County
· $9,122 to Morrow County
· $13,156 to Tillamook County
· $57,714 to Umatilla County
· $13, 489 to Union County
· $6,032 to Wallowa County
· $23,482 to Wasco County
· $60,453 to Yamhill County

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