Navigating the "Time, Place, Manner Camping Ordinance" in Portland: A Closer Look at House Bill 3115

        It is a given in Downtown Portland that at some point you will come across someone experiencing homelessness. If you live in downtown, you may interact with the same unhoused individuals on a daily basis and consider them part of your neighborhood. In my case, I talk briefly with a fellow named Greg and a lovely woman, June, every morning on my walk to work. Some of you may notice that areas that have been established as “camps” may have been cleared out during a sweep, or that there may be new camps popping up in different areas. This camp version of musical chairs is not due to curiosity of houseless individuals wondering if a different place is better, but biproduct of enactment of the city’s recent bill.

        Bill 3115, also known as the “Time, Place, Manner Camping Ordinance” (Portland.gov), was passed in 2021 by the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Despite adopted in 2021, the actions proposed by the bill were delayed due to the pandemic. The intention of the bill was to strike a delicate balance between supporting Portland’s unhoused population while addressing the concerns coming from the local residents and businesses. The bill requires that “any city law that regulates the acts of sitting, lying, sleeping, or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property…must be objectively reasonable as to time, place, and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness.” (Portland.gov) The overall idea is that everyone has a right to have access to public property so restricting people from these areas who are experiencing homelessness would be a violation of that right. While that right is still being protected, here are some of the key points to pay attention to from the Ordinance: 

       

        1. Designated Areas: The ordinance identifies specific areas where camping is permitted, creating designated zones that balance the needs of the homeless with those of the broader community. 

        

        2. Time Restrictions: House Bill 3115 introduces time restrictions on camping in public spaces, aiming to regulate the duration of temporary shelters and prevent long-term encampments in certain areas.  

        3. Manner of Camping: The legislation outlines guidelines for the manner in which individuals can set up temporary shelters, ensuring safety, hygiene, and minimal impact on the surrounding environment. 

        4. Community Engagement: The ordinance emphasizes community engagement in the decision-making process, encouraging dialogue between local authorities, residents, and organizations advocating for the homeless population. 

        So what are some of the challenges with the ordinance? While House Bill 3115 seeks to provide a structured approach to address homelessness, it also raises important questions and concerns. The funds and time that it takes to enforce such delicate rules has been and will continue to be a challenge. Time is ultimately what this will take as the population of homeless individuals is continuing to rise in the Portland area. Finding the right balance between the rights and needs of the unhoused and the remaining community members requires careful consideration and continuous collaboration. There is no perfect solution and every situation will cause someone feels like they are losing. If the primary focus of the health and prosperity of the entire community remains at heart then Portland has hope to find a solution that works for everyone.

        The ”Time, Place, Manner Camping Ordinance” reflects Portland’s commitment to addressing the homelessness crisis through legislative measure. The complexities revolving around the issue will be difficult to navigate and will require continuous community engagement and cooperation. The implementation of the ordinance needs to be thoughtful and communicated in a clear and helpful way to those that it will be affecting. The hope is that people such as people such as Greg and June will not be forced into further hardships, but respected and aided in their struggles.

For more information on this topic please select one of the following links:

City Council candidate Rene Gonzalez uses Occupy Ice Photo as example of Portland Homeless Camps. Willamette Week. (n.d.). https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2022/02/24/city-council-candidate-rene-gonzalez-uses-occupy-ice-photo-as-example-of-portland-homeless-camps/ 

Corkery, M. (2023, July 29). Fighting for Anthony: The struggle to save Portland, Oregon. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/29/us/portland-oregon-fentanyl-homeless.html 

Time, place, Manner Camping Ordinance. Portland.gov. (n.d.). https://www.portland.gov/wheeler/time-place-manner