Portland, Oregon, approves $27M for new homeless camps
Associated PressPORTLAND, Ore. — City Council members in Portland, Oregon, have voted to allocate $27 million of the city’s budget to build a network of designated camping areas for homeless people, approving a fiercely disputed budget measure as the city tries to address its homelessness crisis. The money will help finance a measure passed by the City Council earlier this month that banned street camping and approved the creation of six outdoor sites where homeless people will be allowed to camp. Before Wednesday’s vote, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler acknowledged the measure was controversial but that he nonetheless believes in it “very, very deeply.” Wheeler and other supporters of the measure contend it will make streets safer and connect homeless people with social services. During that meeting, resident Shannon Kearns said in testimony that the plan amounted to “putting money into internment camps under the guise of support for our most marginalized community members.” The six designated campsites will initially serve up to 150 people, with 24-hour management and access to services such as food, hygiene, litter collection and treatment for mental health and substance abuse.
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