Portland City Council votes to ban homeless camping

Homeless camp on SE Water Ave.

A homeless camp managed by the City of Portland along SE Water Avenue Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. Mark Graves/Staff

The Portland City Council voted to ban homeless camping by 2024 and approved four other proposals Thursday aimed at addressing a deepening humanitarian crisis that spans every corner of the city.

The ambitious plan, brought forth by Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioner Dan Ryan, lays the groundwork for creating thousands of new affordable housing units, getting more unsheltered people into addiction or mental health treatment and – most controversially – banning unsanctioned camping.

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