Sunstone Way Workers Discovered Billboard Campaign During Severance Negotiations

Sunstone Way, a nonprofit operating homeless shelters in Portland, is closing on July 1 due to reduced government funding and rising costs, while unionized workers discovered billboard advertisements for the organization’s services during severance negotiations for employees at the 120-bed Market Street Shelter. The closure follows a 2022 audit revealing Sunstone Way overbilled Multnomah County by $525,000 and a recent lawsuit by a former finance executive alleging overspending on office rent and retreats. Oregon AFSCME argues the situation demonstrates that the city and county should manage shelters directly rather than contracting with nonprofits to reduce reliance on expensive consultants and protect public resources.