Street Roots • Feb, 26-March 3, 2QT6
E d it o r ia l
Page 3
Round-up: What’s happening on the homeless front
Write in
If you would f e
I
« R I
executive director o f
Street Roots. You can
reach him a t
israel@streetroots.org
or follow h im on
Twitter @israelbayer.
t’s a question I get a lot:
Israel, can you explain to me what’s
going on out there?
Let’s start with Salem.
Housing legislation is moving forward on
important eviction protections, inclusionary
zoning and investments for homeless and
housing services,
Is it the package we wanted? No. Will it
move the issue forward?
Yes.
The new housing
D IR E C T O R 'S legislation will allow for
incremental changes and
D ESK
let local governments
By Israel Bayer
create a pathway for
more revenue for ‘
affordable housing and
provide minimal support
for tenants.
Special interest groups, including the
home builders association, big developers,
landlords and the Realtors association
continue to block progress in Oregon. They
should be happy. They got a pretty sweet
deal.
Saying that, I agree the current legislation
should move forward. Not passing anyth in g
isn’t an option. Kudos to legislators and
advocates who remain in the game and
continue to work to give people a
safe place to call home.
What about the Portland
Business Alliance’s (PBA)public
relations campaign on Z
homelessness, including a push for
shelters in places like Wapato?
The campaign could be so
much more. It lacks political
sophistication and doesn’t offer a
clear path forward. Wapato isn’t a
practical option and simply
bashing the mayor doesn’t really
get us anywhere. What happens if
the next mayor doesn’t agree
with the PBA on homeless
policies?
Homeless people, in some aspects, have
become tabloid news. Forget about how we
actually solve this problem, look at all the
dirty bums under the bridges. The race is on
to find outhow many screwed up th in g s
homeless people are doing before the next
deadline or evening news broadcast
written published
in our pages, or would
like to get involved as a
member of our reporting staff,
contact Managing Editor Joanne Zuhl at
503-228-5657.joanne@ streetroots.org.
We ask that all submissions include the
There are a lot of people and powerful
interests in the city that loathe the mayor’s
camping policy. Many people are hoping it
will fail. By allowing tent camping, people
experiencing homelessness have become
much more visible in the city. The reality is
there are fewer places for people to sleep,
which has created larger camps. That’s
driven hysteria in neighborhoods. The mayor
had to a ct The verdict is still out on the new
policies. But until we address the larger
housing issue in our community, I’m not sure
there is a right answer. If Seattle or San
Francisco are any indication, the noise
around these issues isn’t going to go away.
It’s just going to get louder and louder.
Obviously,. I’m a strong supporter of
groups like Right 2 Dream Too. People can
debate the merits of having tent cities all day
long. The reality is they are both practical
and safe for people on the streets. Is it a
logical solution? No. Neither is having
hundreds of thousands of people
experiencing homelessness in
America.
efforts today,
no amount of
campaign
promises w ill
help ns
tomorrow.
What about the mayor’s race and candidates?
something
that you've
Why is that?
I f w e 're not
s u c c e s s fu l
w ith these
Most of the candidates are swinging for
the fences; and trying to hit a home run on
the issue of homelessness and housing.
That’s amazing.
It’s important that we don’t forget that we
currently have a comprehensive strategy pn
homelessness and there’s work being done.
Multnomah County and the city of
Portland are trying to deliver a new $30
million investment this budget cycle for
housing and homeless services, We are also
working hard to deliver a long-term,
dedicated revenue stream for affordable
housing. These things aren’t guaranteed. In
trying to distance themselves from current
office holders and their opponents, it’s
important that candidates don’t lose sight qf
all the great work that’s being done. If we’re
not successful with these efforts today, no
amount of campaign promises will help u s :
tomorrow.
B ut Israel, I ’m reading all of these horrible
things about the mayor’s plan for camping and
the homeless.
to have
, Honestly, I ’m ju st really pissed off i
about the entire situation. I care about
the homeless, but my rent is
skyrocketing and I don’t know what to
do.
I t’s important to remember we
are all on the same team. I realize
people are pissed about what we are
calling a housing crisis today.
Unfortunately, for people of color
and people experiencing the hell
that is homelessness, the crisis has
been going on for decades.
Through all the tragedy, heartache
and injustice there has always been love..
Unconditional love, It’s important to
remember that the fight we find ourselves in
is a long slog that will require all of us s from
those inside politics to people on the streets.
We have to work together. Shouting and
tearing each other down has never gotten us
anywhere. I would hate to see the housing
issue - which ultimately is about helping
people who are suffering - be hijacked by the
same kind of political climate that is taking
over national politics. We have to value one
another. We have to respect one another,
even when we disagree. Being pissed all thé
time will never get us to the finish line.
So what can I do?
Get engaged. There are lots of ; '
opportunities to do so. You’re only one.
Google search away from getting involved in
any number of advocacy groups working on
these issues across the Pacific Northwest.
Volunteer your time. Donate money to your
favorite causé. Tweet questions to elected
officials and candidates. Don’t give up hope.
We’ve got work to do.
author's name and contact information,
if available.
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E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r Israel Bayer
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