This article was crafted in collaboration with ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network and Street Roots. For the latest stories straight to your inbox, subscribe to Dispatches.
When the Pandemic’s Over, but the Crisis Isn’t
As Portland, Oregon, began to emerge from the pandemic haze, it faced a fresh storm: homelessness. Picture this: tents crowding city blocks, while high-powered business groups demanded action. They even waved around surveys warning that Portland would become a ghost town if nothing changed.
Billion-Dollar Plans and Rising Tragedies
By spring 2021, then-Mayor Ted Wheeler promised to tackle the issue head-on, doling out a staggering $1.3 billion by 2024. Yet, despite spending around $200,000 per homeless person, the number of deaths soared. From 113 in 2019 to over 450 by 2023 according to Multnomah County Health Department data. The homeless in Multnomah County faced a death rate outpacing even major West Coast cities.
Sweeps: A Double-Edged Sword
In a response to increasing pressure, Portland ramped up tent removals. Since 2021, they’ve done 19,000 sweeps, dismantling an average of over 20 encampments a day by 2024. However, with every tent swept, the city acknowledged the trauma it left behind. Cody Bowman, a city spokesperson, called these efforts “heartbreaking,” yet necessary for public safety.
Rapid Escalation of Deaths
It’s not just about tents, though. Homeless residents in Multnomah County die on average more than 30 years before their 78-year-old peers. Drug and alcohol-related deaths make up a whopping 659 out of 1,200 homeless fatalities from 2019 to 2023.
For context, the county began incorporating state death records in 2022, adding about 60 to yearly death counts.
Increased sweeps further exacerbate risks, as highlighted by JAMA’s study. It showed that forced relocations increase overdose death risks by up to 22% among drug users.
The Rising Need for Support
Dr. William Toepper of Portland Street Medicine, who’s been working on the frontlines, finds the situation baffling. Why invest in dismantling when there’s little improvement afterward? His efforts involve providing critical health services directly where people live, yet the disjointed population is harder to reach every passing day.
Toepper recalls the tragic case of Debby Beaver, whose encampment destruction led to her losing medications, finally costing her life.
Rethinking Housing Solutions
The city’s strategy shifted towards temporary shelters, taking funds away from permanent housing. Portland boosted its short-term shelter spending to $72.5 million by 2025, adding 826 beds since 2021. However, decent housing remains out of reach for most due to high costs.
Critics argue that solutions must focus on providing stable, affordable housing, a sentiment echoed across various studies.
Individual Stories that Ring Loud
People like Nancy Hill and John Ellstrom exemplify the human side of statistics. Nancy struggled post-rehabilitation without housing support, and John, even after a year of sobriety, found himself back on the streets, a victim of systemic failures.
Their narratives are echoed in a series of tragic tales highlighting the lack of housing as a critical gap in homeless services.
A Call for Balanced Approaches
While efforts continue, experts insist comprehensive approaches involving permanent housing solutions are crucial. Bowman emphasized that the city’s actions balance immediate needs and long-term housing projects despite the challenges.
Portland’s so-called pod cities are an attempt at innovation, albeit with mixed reviews. Tensions between management methods and homeless support remain unresolved.
Looking Forward
Though the city’s numerous efforts are underway, many believe true change requires addressing root causes and systemic shifts. The conversation surrounding homeless mortality, safety, and housing demand continues.
For those paying attention, the calls for change are loud and persistent. The city’s journey through its homelessness crisis offers lessons, invites reflection, and urges action from all those ready to listen.
