I wrote in April on this blog about Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s plans for solving the homelessness crisis. Now that the preliminary budget has been released as of May 21st we can begin to predict a path forward for the next year and reflect on the state of the city and what it all means for actionably addressing homelessness.
Photo by Adam Blank on Unsplash
Previously, the addition of any resources outside of those already allocated seemed unlikely given the existing deficit and the $28 million price tag of Wilson’s proposal to add 1,500 overnight shelter beds by year's end. Through some unprecedented strategy and cooperation, Portland’s Metro Council and Multnomah County together approved a portion of the funds in spite of facing an historic budget shortfall (1). This move, while not providing a cure-all solution by any means, at least shows that the homelessness crisis is in fact a priority across various elected offices of the state, and provides a precedent for meaningful collaboration moving forward.
Considering the idea of collaboration and efficiency being important for the future of the homelessness crisis, Keith Wilson’s strategy specifically has an interesting angle. Providing additional shelter space in Portland is not just designed to provide shelter, but to more tangibly offer a less punitive means of enforcing the city’s prohibited camping ordinance (1). It also aligns with a new rule directing the distribution of tents only during severe weather and cold weather advisory events- a rule estimated to save the city around $600,000 (2). These moves separately are small things but together indicate a possible change in direction for the better in terms of a more measured, unified approach at problem-solving.
While helpful in the short term for the aforementioned reasons, providing additional shelter beds is not a substantial enough solution to permanently get people off the streets in Portland or anywhere else. What people need is a path towards affordable housing. A survey by The Welcome Home Coalition suggested that for a homeless individual, sleeping in a shelter is no better than sleeping in a tent or a car. Instead people need rent assistance, eviction prevention, support services such as case management and mental health and addiction treatment. These are all evidence-based investments that can be made to make meaningful progress on this issue.
Graphic from The Welcome Home Coalition
So, while Portland is right to spend on homelessness in spite of a looming budget deficit, it is important we keep pushing for more. This means paying closer attention and staying more connected to the homelessness crisis as it pertains to our city. This also means staying vigilant and not settling for one year of political priority. There is an opportunity now while the conversation about homelessness is active to make meaningful change. Here’s hoping the problem solving continues for years to come.
Make your voice heard directly by contacting the Mayor and/or the City Council here. Let them know your thoughts on the ongoing homelessness crisis and what you think should be the priority in 2025 and beyond.
The Welcome Home Coalition is a multicultural and intersectional alliance in the Portland Metropolitan Region that uses its collective resources to build a movement for housing justice. Support them here.
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