Homelessness in Oregon

Whoville Homeless Camp in Eugene, Oregon, 2013

In 2016, a report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) revealed that the U.S. state of Oregon had an estimated homeless population of 13,238 with about 60.5% of these people still unsheltered.[1] In 2017, these numbers were even higher. As of January 2017, Oregon has an estimated 13,953 individuals experiencing homelessness. Of this homeless population, 1,083 are family households, 1,251 are veterans, 1,462 are unaccompanied young adults (aged 18–24), and 3,387 are individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.[2] As of 2022, 17,959 people total experienced homelessness in Oregon, with 2,157 individuals being youth under 18, 6,671 being female, 10,931 being male, and 131 being transgender. Also among the 17,959 total homeless in 2022, 15,876 were Non-Hispanic/Non-Latino, 2,083 were Hispanic/Latino, 13,960 were white, 1,172 were Black, African American, or African, 101 were Asian or Asian American, 880 were Native American, and those of multiple race were 1,619. Oregon has seen an increase in its total homeless population consistently every year since 2010. In last three years specifically Oregon has seen a 98.5% increase 2021-2022, 22.5% increase 2020-2021, and a 13.1% increase 2019-2020.[3]

Homeless people have found themselves unwelcome near businesses in Portland.[4] Some of the complaints given are that homeless people 'scare customers away'; 'are too noisy'; and that 'they block the way'.[5][6] A city ordinance called 'sidewalk obstruction ordinance' was an ordinance which homeless advocates complained "criminalizes homelessness".[4] This was however, quashed by a judge's decision in 2009.[4] This decision left the police and business owners with disorderly conduct which the police chief said comes with the difficulty of proving intent and finding witnesses.[4]

  1. ^ Eastman, Janet (November 23, 2016). "Most of Oregon's homeless families live on the street, in cars, parks: Highest percentage in US., says HUD report". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  2. ^ "Oregon Homelessness Statistics in 2017". U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  3. ^ "2022 AHAR: Part 1 - PIT Estimates of Homelessness in the U.S. | HUD USER". www.huduser.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  4. ^ a b c d Mayer, James (July 15, 2009). "Portland grapples with homeless issue after ruling on sidewalk ordinance". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  5. ^ Griffin, Anna (February 21, 2015). "Handling Panhandling". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on March 5, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  6. ^ Flaccus, Gillian (September 11, 2016). "Portland homeless crisis grows, creating dissent in tolerant Oregon city". Review Journal. Archived from the original on January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2017.