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Near record homelessness in Portland, 539 in emergency housing

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AdvertisementNear record homelessness in Portland, 539 in emergency housingHide TranscriptShow TranscriptABOUT IT -- AND WHY SOME SAY THEIR EFFORTS FALL SHORT. CITY OFFICIALS IN PORTLAND SAY THEY'RE NOT YET AT CAPACITY FOR EMERGENCY HOUSING - AND THEY'RE WORKING TO SECURE MORE IF NECESSARY. THEY'RE CONTRACTING WITH HOTELS BECAUSE TRADITIONAL SHELTERS HAVE LIMITED CAPACITY TO ENSURE SOCIAL DISTANCING. HERE'S A BREAKING OF NUMBERS RELEASED BY THE CITY. 213 PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON FAMILY SHELTERS. 128 UTILIZING THE OXFORD STREET SHELTER AND OVERFLOW SPACES. 198 ARE USING GENERAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS TO STAY IN HOTELS. ADVOCATES FOR UNHOUSES MAINERS HAVE - IN THE PAST - URGED PORTLAND TO DO MORE. SOME FEEL CITY SHELTERS ARE UNSAFE, PEOPLE ARE TOO EASILY KICKED OUT, OTHERS WANT OUTDOOR CAMPING TO BE ALLOWED, THE MAIN GOAL THOUGH IS PERMANENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. JESS FALERO, WHO WE SPOKE TO LAST WEEK, ALSO SAYS THERE'S A DIRECT LINK BETWEE SUBSTANCE USE AND HOUSING INSECURITY. 5:59-6:08 "OUR VOICES GET LOUDER BECAUSE WE KEEP TRYING TO SHARE THE CONTEXT AND WE'RE LIKE - HEY, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT COME ALONG WITH HOMELNENESS AND YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND." 5:50-6:01 "WE HAVE LIFTED MANY RESTRICTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS BUT ONE THING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US IS HAVING OUR SHELTER BE A SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE THERE - FOR OUR STAFF AND FOR OTHER GUESTS THERE." PORTLAND ACTUALLY JUST RECEIVED A GRANT TO HIRE STAFF FOR ITS RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM TO, ACCORDING TO DOW, TRYAdvertisementNear record homelessness in Portland, 539 in emergency housingHomelessness in Portland is closing in on a record number as the city and state try to control the spread of COVID-19. According to city officials, as of last Monday Portland was providing emergency housing to 539 individuals. Kristen Dow, Director of Health &amp; Human Services for the city, says during the summer of 2019 Portland provided shelter for roughly 600 residents seeking asylum, many of whom stayed at the Portland Expo. Dow provided a breakdown of where individuals being assisted now are receiving shelter:213 people are staying in family shelters and hotel overflow spaces.128 people are staying at the city’s Oxford Street Shelter and a contracted hotel. 198 people are using vouchers from Portland’s general assistance program to stay in four different hotels.Dow says ensuring social distancing has made the issue of housing insecurity more difficult to address. Dow says they’re not yet at capacity and they’re working to contract with other facilities and hotels to secure more space. “We’re still in negotiations for the Joyce House which is a community corrections building with the county. We also have a backup plan of potentially contracting with another area hotel if need be to accommodate individuals,” Dow said. Advocates for unhoused residents have, in the past, urged Portland to do more to address homelessness, including a more than two week homeless encampment outside City Hall. Frequently mentioned issues include claims that city shelters are unsafe, people are banned from using them for minor infractions, calls for the decriminalization of outdoor camping and a dedicated space to do so, and a more aggressive plan from the city to provide quality affordable housing. Jess Falero, a local activist, says there’s a direct link between substance use and housing insecurity and wants the voices of unhoused Mainers to be valued and understood. “Our voices get louder because we keep trying to share the context and we’re like - hey, these are the things that come along with homelessness and you don’t understand,” Falero said. According to Dow, Portland recently received a grant to hire staff for its Rapid Rehousing Program to help find permanent housing for people in need.Homelessness in Portland is closing in on a record number as the city and state try to control the spread of COVID-19. According to city officials, as of last Monday Portland was providing emergency housing to 539 individuals.AdvertisementKristen Dow, Director of Health &amp; Human Services for the city, says during the summer of 2019 Portland provided shelter for roughly 600 residents seeking asylum, many of whom stayed at the Portland Expo. Dow provided a breakdown of where individuals being assisted now are receiving shelter:Dow says ensuring social distancing has made the issue of housing insecurity more difficult to address. Dow says they’re not yet at capacity and they’re working to contract with other facilities and hotels to secure more space. “We’re still in negotiations for the Joyce House which is a community corrections building with the county. We also have a backup plan of potentially contracting with another area hotel if need be to accommodate individuals,” Dow said. Advocates for unhoused residents have, in the past, urged Portland to do more to address homelessness, including a more than two week homeless encampment outside City Hall. Frequently mentioned issues include claims that city shelters are unsafe, people are banned from using them for minor infractions, calls for the decriminalization of outdoor camping and a dedicated space to do so, and a more aggressive plan from the city to provide quality affordable housing. Jess Falero, a local activist, says there’s a direct link between substance use and housing insecurity and wants the voices of unhoused Mainers to be valued and understood. “Our voices get louder because we keep trying to share the context and we’re like - hey, these are the things that come along with homelessness and you don’t understand,” Falero said. According to Dow, Portland recently received a grant to hire staff for its Rapid Rehousing Program to help find permanent housing for people in need.Loading more articles...

AdvertisementNear record homelessness in Portland, 539 in emergency housingHide TranscriptShow TranscriptABOUT IT -- AND WHY SOME SAY THEIR EFFORTS FALL SHORT. CITY OFFICIALS IN PORTLAND SAY THEY'RE NOT YET AT CAPACITY FOR EMERGENCY HOUSING - AND THEY'RE WORKING TO SECURE MORE IF NECESSARY. THEY'RE CONTRACTING WITH HOTELS BECAUSE TRADITIONAL SHELTERS HAVE LIMITED CAPACITY TO ENSURE SOCIAL DISTANCING. HERE'S A BREAKING OF NUMBERS RELEASED BY THE CITY. 213 PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON FAMILY SHELTERS. 128 UTILIZING THE OXFORD STREET SHELTER AND OVERFLOW SPACES. 198 ARE USING GENERAL ASSISTANCE...

Near record homelessness in Portland, 539 in emergency housing

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