The Homeless and Housing: Discrimination, Gentrification and COVID-19

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Homelessness has been on the rise in Portland. Especially since the impact of COVID-19 has hit the city. A study has predicted that homelessness in the city will have risen 40-45% since the pandemic began in March. Houseless folks face brutal discrimination for something that is inevitably out of their control every single day. This is particularly true if you are a minority of some kind or if you have a substance abuse problem. According to the official "point in time" homeless count, in Multnomah County, the homeless population of transgender folks has doubled in only two years. Although it is also likely that this number is no longer accurate considering that not every individual can identify themselves as trans due to safety reasons.


Homeless folks also face a lot of discrimination with policing in Portland. Back in 2018 The Oregonian came out with a shocking report stating that half of arrests police made in 2017 were of homeless folks who only made up 3% of the city’s population at that time. The vast majority of the crimes committed were all for low-level crimes. It’s important to emphasize many of the homeless who are arrested are likely to be arrested again a second time in the next three years.


While the city of Portland has less people fighting homelessness than other cities, the city has a shelter problem which explains all the increased visibility that we have seen over the past few years. Findings have suggested that low-income neighborhoods in every city has been gentrified by College graduates, particularly white college graduates under 40 without children. In 2017, Portland was named the fourth fastest gentrifying city in the United States by Realtor.com. However, there is also a connection in gentrification of Universities here in Portland and around the United States in general.


Many Universities that are established in urban areas can contribute to Gentrification, especially those that are predominately white. In Portland, older buildings are renovated and converted into studio apartments. Students, faculty and staff see certain areas as an urban hot spot and start moving into the neighborhood. Specifically, as a student at Portland State, I have noticed the campus go through so many changes in the past. Developers building off-campus apartment buildings aimed at students as well as new shops and restaurants popping up. Attracting middle class and upper middle-class students and faculty.


Author: Brian Aiken


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