street roots
2
May 11, 2012
EDITORIAL
The power of hope drives and connects us all
I
Future leaders could learn
from following priorities
t’s not a given that our elected representatives will
prioritize housing in today’s political climate. Multnomah
County is fortunate to have leaders that recognize that
without a safety net for housing and homeless services, we
can’t be a truly progressive society.
In this year’s budget process, still mired in the economic
slump, Mayor Sam Adams and County Chair Je ff Cogen have
continued to set a standard that our friends and neighbors in
need are a priority. And that setting priorities means more
than lip service and a positive spin. It’s something the
current slate of candidates should keep in mind.
However, we still have
much work to do. The lack
If we as a community
of jobs, a sputtering
don't find a way, all the
economy and a broken tax
sustainability centers and
system means hard working
green buildings and
Oregonians continue to be
alternative transportation
priced out of the housing
modes in the world won't
market. Those even less
matter — at least not for
fortunate find themselves
middle-class Portlanders
on the brink of
who call this city there
hom elessness or actually
home today.
sleeping outdoors. These
hard realities are
documented in the current
edition of Street Roots with the cover story on the impacts of
the foreclosure crisis in our neighborhoods, where empty
homes are laid to waste. It’s also heard in the trembling
voices of families who call 211info and find themselves at the
end of their ropes.
M any people are fortunate to never find them selves in
such a circumstance. And yet too many individuals and
families find themselves on the edge, that indescribable place
foreign to most Portlanders, a surreal moment swallowed by
the reality of losing everything. Logic is lost. Rational thought
disappears. Trauma, despair - survival mode set in.
To say how much we appreciate the city and county
I
p r io r itiz in g h o u s in g is s in c e r e . B u t to c la im v ic to ry w o u ld b e
short-sighted. After years of budget cuts, there is still a hole
in the bucket. Homeownership relief hangs in the balance,
important programs funded under the Portland Children’s
Levy are on the brink, and securing sustainable funding for
affordable housing continues to be the question of the day,
the month and the election year.
In the mid-90s Portland set a goal to achieve 5,183
affordable housing units downtown, the same number we had
in 1978. Today, according to Northwest Pilot Project’s
inventory, we have 1,200 fewer units available than when we
set the goal.
In order to change course, we need bold leadership that is
willing to push beyond the tired boundaries. We’re not just
talking about government leaders. We’re talking about
business and civic leaders downtown who are more than
willing to sit at the table and give money to specific
programs, when what is really needed is big picture thinking
on housing and hom elessness.
We need a dedicated funding source beyond our current
options to support hard-working Portlanders, and those down
on their luck. If we as a community don’t find a way, all the
sustainability centers and green buildings and alternative
transportation modes in the world won’t matter - at least not
for middle-class Portlanders who call this city their home
today. It will be a land of only the rich and poor. And Portland
will be anything but progressive in the decades to come.
Israel Bayer is the
executive director o f
Street Roots. You can
reach him at israel@
streetroots.org
Street Roots
211 NW Davis St.
Portland, OR 97209
503-228-5657
Fax: 503-227-3117
www.streetroots.org
www.streetroots.wordpress.com
n laffn rm and
and an
an important
im n n rtan
that we have a o platform
role to play in the community.
We believe in both individual and social
change. We believe in creating a platform
for people, regardless of their lot in life or
past experiences, and recognizing that we
all have something to contribute to society.
Maybe it’s a poem, maybe it’s a smile,
possibly it’s a bit of street wisdom and just
having a familiar face to say hi each
morning.
“Street Roots has really been a blessing
to m e,” says Cynthia who sells at NW 23rd
and Hoyt. “Before I started with Street
Roots I was down and out, and I was
homeless and not doing too good, and I just
felt lost. Having Street Roots in my life has
helped me have purpose. I’m doing this not
only for myself, but it’s a gift from God to
help me in my heart. I’m a people person.”
That’s what I’m talking about it. We are
all different at Street Roots, with different
backgrounds and experiences and beliefs,
and some of us are down and out. But that
doesn’t stop us. There’s hope and
ultimately, love. And there’s nothing more
nnw nrfnl than love.
WHAT DO
YOU THINK?
Send letters to the
editor to the Street
Roots office, 211 NW
Davis St., Portland,
OR 97209, or by
e-mail to joanne®
streetroots.org.
Bruce Anderson (Chairman), Michael Anderson (Vice-
chairman), Heather Stadick (Treasurer), Eddy Barbosa
(Secretary), Rich Rodgers, Brad Taylor, Leo Rhodes,
Ken Hawkins, Nora Coon, Darren Alexander
catalysts for individual and social change.
Street Roots publishes every tw o weeks, launching
on Fridays, and is available exclusively through our
street vendors or ty subscription. We are proud
members of the North American Street
Newspaper Association and the — * — 1
Network of Street Papers.
t feels good when you have peace in
your life,” says Willie Bradford, a Street
___ Roots vendor. “We all have problems,
but I never give up on hope. That’s one of
my things: Never give
up on hope for
nothing.”
You can never
underestimate hope
and what it can do for
people. Beyond the
By Israel Bayer
income that vendors
obtain through your
support, it’s hope that
makes the vendor program a worthwhile
venture for many individuals and families.
The conversations and relationships built
with many of you each day is something
that many vendors hold onto the most.
Time and again, vendors come into the
office and talk about readers and how much
they brighten their days.
Way back when, former housing advocate
and City Commissioner Erik Sten said that
Street Roots was changing the face of
homelessness in Portland. We believe that
holds true more now than ever. We know
Program Assistant Cole Merkel, Jesuit Volunteer
Volunteers
AmeriCorps Member
Mary Pacios, Leo Rhodes, Jan Bayer, Eliese Baker,
Sue Zalokar, Michael Moore, Robert Britt, Cynthia
Kiehl, Hannah Schultz, Robyn Wirkes
Sarah Cloud
Accountant Heather Stadick
Reporters Amanda Waldroupe, Jake Thomas,
Devan Schwartz, Robert Britt, Sue Zalokar
Photographers Leah Nash, Ken Hawkins, Kristina
W right
7,
Street Roots Rose City Resource
Street Roots publishes the Rose City Resource, a
comprehensive booklet o f services for people
experiencing homelessness and poverty.
To inquire about getting an order o f the Rose City
Resource for distribution, please write to
pdxrosecityresource@gmail.com. Resources are also
available online at www.rosecityresource.org.
75
goes
who sold you the paper
Vendor orientations are at 1 p.m. every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday at the Street Roots office.