Portland Oregon Has a Homeless Crisis

The Portland Homeless Crisis. An Article on Mental Health and Portland Oregon's Homeless Population.


Portland Oregon has been one of the leading cities in homeless for awhile now and the problem seems to continue. Mental illness has now become more common among homeless people in Oregon than any other state which has created various amounts of urban environmental issues throughout the city of Portland. The Portland Police also have no official policy on clearing out camps or relocating the homeless population which leaves thousands of homeless people stuck all throughout Portland. Garbage, drugs, and needles can be found almost everywhere and that has also created hazardous complications throughout the city as well. 

Mental health is also a rather large factor in Portland's homeless population and a recent study from 2016 show that 35-40% of homeless adults in Oregon suffer from mental illnesses. Homeless populations have also been contributing to ruining the natural environment which has impacted biking trails, hiking paths, and local parks. 

The Portland Police Department have also seized 284 pounds of heroin and meth in the year 2016 alone, while the number still increases in todays homeless crisis.  The key to creating a solution to this problem is to focus funds on mental health treatment as well as temporary independent living which would cause a decrease in the homeless population, as well as give individual with mental disabilities the proper care they need. That has been the main goal for most departments here in the Portland Metro city area for homelessness. 

That is why it is so important to vote for and support the local Portland police Department, because that will give them the funds they need to hire therapists and specialists to help out with the homeless. Also supporting non-profit organizations to help build stable housing for the homeless would also be a great step in the right direction. 

To learn more about how mental illness has impacted the homeless population in Oregon click here.  

 






 

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