FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rich Chatman • rich.chatman@portlandoregon.gov
Margaux Weeke • margaux.a.weeke@portlandoregon.gov
MAYOR TED WHEELER AND COMMISSIONER DAN RYAN ANNOUNCE A NEW ADMINISTRATIVE RULE TO SUPPORT UNHOUSED PORTLANDERS
This rule change will create a 150-foot unsanctioned camping buffer around Safe Rest Villages
Friday, February 4th. 2022, In April of 2021 Portland City Council unanimously passed the Shelter to Housing Continuum: this ordinance changed our zoning code to allow for siting outdoor shelters. In June of 2021, City Council unanimously passed the Paving the Pathway from Streets to Stability ordinance, which codified our approach toward outdoor shelters and provided the regulatory tools necessary to build Safe Rest Villages.
All policy changes take time to refine. To build on the City’s unprecedented 2021 code changes that support unhoused Portlanders, Mayor Wheeler and Commissioner Ryan are announcing an additional rule change to ensure a 150-foot unsanctioned camping buffer around future Safe Rest Village sites. This means unsanctioned camp interventions around Safe Rest Villages will be prioritized and neighborhoods around Safe Rest Villages will be clean and safe.
Mayor Wheeler’s directive to the Office of Management & Finance—which oversees the Impact Reduction Program—states: “To minimize the risk to Safe Rest Village occupants and those in the surrounding areas, I am directing you to 1) update your houseless camp removal criteria to ensure no camping is allowed for 150 feet around each Safe Rest Village; and 2) no camping is allowed on the streets between each Safe Rest Village and the nearest transit stop location.”
“Addressing houselessness is my number one priority,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler. “I am grateful to Commissioner Ryan and the City’s Safe Rest Village team for their tireless work to build safe spaces for Portlanders to get the services they need, and I know this buffer will give us the regulatory tools to make this initiative a success.”
“Villagers need safety and breathing room to begin their journey toward stability,” said Commissioner Dan Ryan. “By enforcing a buffer, we will prevent triggering incidents which may lead to relapse. Together, we can give unhoused Portlanders the trauma-informed support they need and make our community safer. We need helpful action for the neighborhoods and for Villagers building resilience."
This administrative rule change is effective immediately.
Learn more about Safe Rest Villages.
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