February 3rd, 2022
PBOT’s 2021 Vision Zero Traffic Crash report revealed that of the 27 pedestrians who died in a traffic crash, 19 were members of the houseless community. First and most importantly, we mourn the loss of these 19 people, all of whom were failed deeply by our system.
In response, “Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler will issue a state of emergency order Friday that aims to allow the city to more easily remove homeless encampments from roadsides and other places deemed physically dangerous to campers,” reports the Oregonian. This order would effectively ban people from living along numerous high-traffic corridors in the city, including state-owned highways. This would allow the city to circumvent the camp removal criteria, including elimination of the public notice requirements and due process steps currently in place.
At Rahab’s Sisters, we know that the areas around what our city considers “dangerous roadways” are often some of the only places for unsheltered folks to go. Sleeping next to a highway or busy street offers protection from angry or violent neighbors and can prolong time between sweeps. These spaces are often large enough for people to set up tents or other shelters and find safety in larger communities that would be difficult to form elsewhere.
At Rahab’s Sisters, we know that the areas around what our city considers “dangerous roadways” are often some of the only places for unsheltered folks to go. Sleeping next to a highway or busy street offers protection from angry or violent neighbors and can prolong time between sweeps. These spaces are often large enough for people to set up tents or other shelters and find safety in larger communities that would be difficult to form elsewhere.
Sweeps don't work. Forcibly removing folks from their place of rest and taking their belongings does not make them disappear. Sweeps inflict immeasurable trauma on some of our most vulnerable neighbors without providing any viable alternatives for folks. If affordable housing is inaccessible, the shelter system is inadequate, and safe rest villages are months behind, where are people supposed to go?
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