It's clear that this is a time of economic uncertainty for Multnomah County residents. Rising housing, energy, food, and transportation costs have all had a huge impact on all households in Multnomah County. Multnomah County is also beginning to feel the effects of the mortgage lending crisis and economic slowdown. A recent poll conducted by the Portland Tribune (October 2008) with 400 residents of the Portland metro area reported that one in five people surveyed said "someone in their household delayed routine medical care because of the shaky economy." The poll also reported "One in six said a household member's work hours have been cut."

The Commission on Children, Families & Community is focusing on approaches that help to increase household income by connecting low- and moderate-income workers with tax credits and free tax assistance through our Family Economic Security Project. We're also involved in linking families living on a low-income with available community resources like the Summer Food Service Program and the OregonHelps! website. Finally, we conduct outreach and education activities to educate the public on the impact of poverty on individuals, families, and our community.