Portland extends housing emergency for three more years

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The City Council in Portland, Oregon, has voted unanimously to extend the citywide housing state of emergency for three more years.

KOIN-TV reports the housing state of emergency declaration extended Wednesday gives the city flexibility when it comes to zoning. Portland’s zoning code does not allow mass shelters on industrial property, but with the extension the city says it can bypass those zoning laws to build shelters​.

The decision comes as the city tries to figure out a more permanent solution to its housing crisis.

Commissioner Mingus Mapps noted that the extension indicates deeper issues.

“This is the sixth time this housing emergency has been extended,” Mapps said. “To me, that points to the need for deeper structural change in how we go about organizing our attempts to address houselessness.”

Portland’s housing and homeless crisis has been exacerbated during the pandemic. During the area’s 2019 point-in-time count — a yearly census of sorts — an estimated 4,015 people were experiencing homelessness, with half of them “unsheltered” or sleeping outside. Advocates say the numbers have likely significantly increased.

Earlier this month, Mayor Ted Wheeler used his own emergency powers to create a new homeless service hub to streamline city efforts.

Homeless advocates have denounced the mayor’s plans, which include the creation of mass shelters that could house up to 1,000 people saying that’s not a permanent solution.

In addition Wheeler’s top adviser — Sam Adams, a former Portland mayor — has also outlined a controversial plan that would force up to 3,000 homeless people into massive temporary shelters staffed by Oregon National Guard members. Advocates say the move, which marks a major...