For decades Portland has struggled with a prevalent homeless population. The city has come leaps and bounds both in its acceptance of homeless individuals and the ways in which they monitor different facets of the community. From 2013 to 2015 Multnomah Portland and Gresham countries conducted a point in time count in the homeless population and found that 49% of these individuals were unsheltered. Today the number of homeless individuals has increased due to the onset of the pandemic, in combination with a decrease in job opportunities and volunteer support many more have been forced back onto the streets often in unsheltered situations. Due to this many have congregated into tent camps that pop up often by underpasses or near major roadways. Until recently police forces were largely responsible for the removal of these encampments. Thanks to a new house Bill introduced into the Oregon legislature homeless individuals would no longer be subject to fines or arrest due to camping on public land. Senator Michael Dembrow who introduced the bill pointed out how the city of Portland needs to find ways to address the problem of homelessness while also acknowledging that homeless individuals have needs that need to be addressed. This bill will allow homeless individuals to stay longer on public property without the looming possibility of arrest. Hopefully, this will make these historically hard-to-reach groups easier to contact and more accessible to volunteer groups that assist in providing humanitarian aid in the form of food and hygiene items. It might also allow for a degree of stability needed to pivot back into the workforce or receive the help needed to deal with psychological and substance abuse issues.
Sources:
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/toolkit/article/562207
Photo Source:
https://time.com/4598570/seattle-homelessness-sweeps-tent-encampments/
Quinn Wildschut Credits
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