The right to dream or even sleep is a right that is curtailed or eliminated when one is homeless. Housing for low income people is removed for gentrification and the poor are turned out on the street. It happens from one city to another across the nation.
Portland, Oregon is no exception.
There are laws that allow the police and security to roust the homeless from their places of rest at a whim. Even now in the worst economic conditions this country has seen since the Great Depression this occurs.
The Homeless will rally at City Hall and ask to be allowed to dream.
RIGHT 2 DREAM TOO RALLY AT CITY HALL
Waive the fines on Right 2 Dream Too!
Wednesday February 1
8:30am
Portland City Hall
SW 4th and Madison
Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/events/162521970523197
Hundreds of people sleep on the streets of Portland every night, there are often no beds available at shelters, and it can take months or even years to get into transitional or permanent affordable housing. Right 2 Dream Too provides refuge and a safe space to rest or sleep undisturbed for dozens of people who are experiencing homelessness in downtown Portland at no cost to the city.
The City of Portland’s Bureau of Development Services (BDS) says R2DToo must comply with state Recreational Camping Ordinances or pay monthly fines. The initial fine is $641.30, and doubles every two months after that.
Join us at the rally Wednesday February 1. Tell the City of Portland to waive the fines imposed on Right to Dream Too and support our work providing refuge and a safe space to rest or sleep undisturbed for Portland’s unhoused community who cannot access affordable housing or shelter.
Facebook Page
May 5, 2008
Dear Mayor and City Commissioners,
The Bureau of Housing and Community Development has widely reported a massive reduction in people experiencing homelessness since the inception of the 10-year plan to end homelessness in December of 2004.
The 10-year plan to end homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County outlines nine action steps that will eliminate homelessness in our city by 2015. Those steps include:
- Move people into housing
- Stop discharging people into homelessness
- Improve outreach to homeless people
- Emphasize permanent solutions
- Increase supply of permanent supportive housing
- Create innovative new partnerships to end homelessness
- Make the rent assistance system more effective
- Increase economic opportunity for homeless people
- Implement new data collection technology throughout the homeless system
We ask that City Hall suspend the camping ordinance in designated regions of the City of Portland until all nine-action steps have been implemented, and the 10-year plan to end homelessness is complete.
Street Roots believes it is cruel and unusual punishment to continue to criminalize individuals experiencing homelessness from sleeping on public property when the City of Portland can’t offer any real, concrete solutions to the crisis until a projected 2015.
We recognize the difficulties law enforcement encounter due to circumstances beyond their control - individuals sleeping in regions of the city that include up and coming festivals, markets, etc.
But without offering any research, or fact-based data that sweeping individuals from one location to another without offering real time solutions help individuals end their homelessness – the city is essentially moving away from the core philosophies of the 10-year plan to end homelessness.
Denying individuals the right to sleep and constantly asking individuals to move from public sidewalks and public parks elevates the level of anxiety, stress, sleep deprivation and ultimately trauma to peoples lives forced to sleep outdoors.
Continued enforcement of the cities camping ordinance creates an atmosphere of distrust with outreach workers, non-profits, law enforcement and individuals on the streets – ultimately working against the idea of engaging individuals on the streets to work towards permanent housing and housing first.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Israel Bayer
Street Roots
They do not have a donation link but I was able to find a wish list of equipment and supplies they are in need of.
They serve 71 individuals a night in a corner lot tented area. They turn away at least one dozen a night.
Wish List
-camping gear no matter what condition small 1-2 person tents, sleeping bags
-five to six gallon buckets with lids
C bags with straps (rubberized duffle bags)
-travel first aid kit
-12 volt flashlight with adjustable handle
-foam rubber sleeping matts
-garbage bags
-clear packing tape
-toilet seats
-carbon material: 1 or 2 gallon plastic bags of sawdust, shredded paper, or peat moss
-video camera