"This weekend, the city of Portland is resuming enforcement of its local laws governing when, where, and how homeless Portlanders can live in public spaces. Mayor Keith Wilson announced that enforcement would begin November 1, saying he wants people found in violation to be referred to resources like shelters or substance use programs. That's the same day the federal food assistance program SNAP expires for millions of low-income Americans, and homeless Portlanders will now also be at risk of fines and jail time if they decline a "reasonable alternate shelter" when offered. It's part of Wilson's efforts to deliver on his lofty campaign promise to end unsheltered homelessness in the city by December 1."
"While Wilson continues working toward his goal to add 1,500 beds by the end of the year, the city and county are still well short of the number of shelter beds necessary to offer every homeless person a place to stay. The city and county together maintain roughly 3,700 shelter beds. Local service providers say the renewed camping ban coupled with the loss of SNAP benefits adds to their concerns that the city's approach may exploit those losses in order to meet Wilson's campaign quotas, rather than offering leniency amid the federal government's reduced support."
"Lauren Armony is the voices for housing justice training manager at Welcome Home Coalition. Armony said rather than addressing the high costs of housing and subsequent homelessness crisis, local leaders have created an endless revolving door through the criminal justice system, which keeps people from secure housing-and coercing people into temporary shelters won't help. "It's cruel," Armony said. "It's undignified.""
Portland will resume enforcing local rules that restrict when, where, and how homeless people may live in public spaces beginning November 1. Mayor Keith Wilson intends to refer people found in violation to shelters or substance use programs. The federal SNAP food assistance program expires the same day for millions, raising concerns as the city may penalize people who decline a "reasonable alternate shelter." The city and county maintain roughly 3,700 shelter beds while Wilson aims to add 1,500 beds by year-end. Local service providers warn the renewed camping ban plus SNAP loss could punish vulnerable people rather than address housing costs or homelessness causes.
Read at Portland Mercury
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]