March 2, 2023
On February 14th, 2023, Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez issued an order to stop distribution of tents and tarps to unsheltered Portlanders. Full coverage of this recent decision can be found here
Rahab’s Sisters denounces Commissioner Gonzalez’s recent order to stop distribution of tents and tarps to unsheltered Portlanders. These life-saving supplies do not cause or start fires. Tents and tarps are critical to the survival of thousands of Portland residents. Tents and tarps protect human lives from the freezing rain, snow, ice and wind. They are the thin line between a hypothermic death and another day for a chance to make it.
Unsheltered people dying despite the distribution of tents and tarps points to the simple fact that tents and tarps are not enough. Housing and shelter is needed now. We urge the city’s elected officials to move as swiftly with shelter, transitional and affordable permanent housing as Commissioner Gonzalez did with his cruel and inhumane order.
No unhoused resident needs a homeless crisis declaration made. Each day lived by any person unhoused is a crisis. To wilfully withhold the most basic protection from the elements from a person in crisis is neglectful at best. To do so with the full knowledge that there are only 3,000 beds for the 5,000 who need them is abuse.
We call for the immediate reinstatement of tents and tarp distribution.
We call for the city to work with agencies to provide safe heating alternatives including access to electricity.
We call for the city to purchase motels and apartment buildings, and transform unused buildings to shelters or transitional housing.
We call for the city to work with the county to provide long-time rent vouchers.
We call for the city to work with the county to provide social workers who will work alongside community-based organizations to support the 5,000 unsheltered Portland residents.