Salem City Council Approves $200,000 Social Services Pilot Program

Responding to a concerns about the wellbeing of Salem families affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, the Salem City Council approved a resolution to create a one-time $200,000 social services fund. At its January meeting, the Salem Budget Committee requested that funds be set aside for this purpose.

The program is funded through salary savings from vacant positions at the Airport and in the City Manager's Office. It aims to address urgent community needs, including:

• housing assistance
• healthcare access
• food insecurity
• legal aid

Funds will be distributed through grants to trusted community partners.

The Salem Housing Authority will receive $50,000 to help renters with upfront costs like security deposits, enabling Section 8 voucher holders to secure housing more easily. An additional $50,000 will be granted to each of the following: Mano-a-Mano, Marion Polk Food Share and Legal Aid Services of Oregon's Salem office. Each grant includes a 10% cap on administrative costs and requires funds to be spent by June 30, 2026.

The pilot program is an effort to balance the City's commitment to supporting vulnerable residents while avoiding long-term financial commitments that could increase forecast budget deficits. Any future funding options will be evaluated as part of the 2027 budget process.