Portland's next Mayor. (Clackamas: sale, hotels, neighborhoods)

[pdxMIKEpdx]

The best thing to do is to quit trying to figure out Portland.

It's a hopeless exercise.

[thedownlow]

Originally Posted by pdxMIKEpdx

The best thing to do is to quit trying to figure out Portland.

It's a hopeless exercise.

Amen.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Minervah

Well, I don't know about leading the country but here's how some cities are finding some pretty good solutions.

The Shockingly Simple, Surprisingly Cost-Effective Way to End Homelessness | Mother Jones

6 Cities Taking a Lead on Solving Homelessness | Community

Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness By 91 Percent; Here's How : NPR

Thanks, Minerva!
The Mother Jones article was really interesting and informative. Portland, like SF, is pretty NIMBY so wonder what area would want the housing to be built. The East side would prob be an area where the chronically homeless would be tolerated.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Cliftonpdx

I hope so, the current condition of letting camps spring up along the sidewalks throughout the city isn't an answer. Even if property taxes went up, I would think those who own property would be happy to not have sidewalks filled with Hales Camps.

Agree! I feel bad for the Portland property owner though. Maybe a tax on beer would be able to pay for the homeless problem.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Cliftonpdx

Not sure how anyone could make that excuse, I think what Salt Lake did is exactly what we should be doing. First off we have an unused prison in St Johns that could easily be converted into a shelter that takes anyone and everyone in no matter what. With that, programs to help the homeless can be put in place, even shuttle access to get them to and from areas they need to get to. That way each would have a bed and a locker to help get them started.

Once you have a place to house them, then you can start to address the issues that they face, and for most of them they just need help getting back on their feet or help with a drug addiction.

The big kicker is the city has to do away with Hales' idiot idea of making camping legal, the city shouldn't be arresting those homeless camping, but offering to either take them to a housing program or they will have their stuff thrown away would weed out those that have come to Portland to voluntarily be homeless and camp.

Things like that would have a huge impact for the city and would help out most of those who are homeless and in need.

It's sad to think that the chronically homeless are often veterans and the mentally ill, which should be society's priority to care for... after our children. I would volunteer my time as I know so many people want to help but don't know how.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Cliftonpdx

Not sure how anyone could make that excuse, I think what Salt Lake did is exactly what we should be doing. First off we have an unused prison in St Johns that could easily be converted into a shelter that takes anyone and everyone in no matter what. With that, programs to help the homeless can be put in place, even shuttle access to get them to and from areas they need to get to. That way each would have a bed and a locker to help get them started.

Once you have a place to house them, then you can start to address the issues that they face, and for most of them they just need help getting back on their feet or help with a drug addiction.

The big kicker is the city has to do away with Hales' idiot idea of making camping legal, the city shouldn't be arresting those homeless camping, but offering to either take them to a housing program or they will have their stuff thrown away would weed out those that have come to Portland to voluntarily be homeless and camp.

Things like that would have a huge impact for the city and would help out most of those who are homeless and in need.

Wow! I had no idea that there was space in St. John's which is going unused. I really like the idea of housing the homeless in their current state rather than expecting sobriety. It does seem that housing should come first then sobriety can be possible.

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by Yankeemama

It's sad to think that the chronically homeless are often veterans and the mentally ill, which should be society's priority to care for... after our children. I would volunteer my time as I know so many people want to help but don't know how.

You should not have to volunteer your time or give money beyond your tax assessment to take care of the homeless. No other First World Country leaves something this important to the better instincts of a charitable few. It is because, by and large, the good work of caring for the homeless is left to Charitable Organizations that the problem is so out of control. Not just in Portland, but in the entire country. American cities are awash in the destitute and indigent, and the only thing that will fix it is money. Real money. Who has the money?

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by thedownlow

Why did they need to pass a gas tax if they just told us they had a huge surplus?

Probably because of allocations. But you further amplify my point: why all the handwringing about a lousy 10 cent tax on gas when gas is so cheap and why agonize about a small increase in a property or other tax when most taxpayers are going to find a kicker check in the mail, and/or their tax attorney is going to fix it so they hardly pay any taxes beyond their Federal Withholding.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

You should not have to volunteer your time or give money beyond your tax assessment to take care of the homeless. No other First World Country leaves something this important to the better instincts of a charitable few. It is because, by and large, the good work of caring for the homeless is left to Charitable Organizations that the problem is so out of control. Not just in Portland, but in the entire country. American cities are awash in the destitute and indigent, and the only thing that will fix it is money. Real money. Who has the money?

The article explained where some of the money would come from but yes, I do think charitable work from church groups is important. I do think we should have a sales tax to pay for schools and help with the homeless problem.

[ringwise]

Originally Posted by freemkt

Free market activity is the only thing that will bring a sufficient supply of affordable housing to Portland. The inconvenient truth is that Americans hate free market housing activity in their neighborhoods.

I want smaller lots and higher density because that's how to create an adequate supply of affordable housing, but homeowners hate that.

No, you want smaller lots and higher density in a certain area. An area that has already been created by a market that offers larger lots and lower density. Of course homeowners hate the idea of turning their already established neighborhood in to a trailer park. If you would just relocate, you would find the type of living you could afford.