Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson has ordered the Joint Office of Homeless Services to temporarily stop buying tarps and tents to distribute to people living on the street, according to a statement Wednesday.
The decision, first reported by KGW, comes as Portland officials vote on an agreement with Multnomah County on their partnership to reduce homelessness. Portland Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who is running for mayor, has blasted the county for its policy on tarps and tents, arguing that their distribution harms the city’s “livability and the ability for small businesses to thrive.”