Portland intensified tent sweeps in 2023 but failed to track where people ended up – By Nicole Hayden (The Oregonian/OregonLive) / Jan 6, 2024
The city of Portland dramatically increased the number of homeless encampments it swept from city sidewalks and other public property in 2023. But city officials failed to keep accurate records of where those individuals ended up, making it impossible for the public or city employees to get a clear picture of the sweeps’ impact or spot trends that could spur improvements, The Oregonian/OregonLive found.
In roughly the second half of 2023, the city forced more than 5,800 people living on the streets to relocate. That represented a 63% increase from the 3,600 swept during the same time frame in 2022.
The Oregonian/OregonLive found city officials only tracked how many people entered Multnomah County’s four large shelters where beds are reserved for people who are swept, failing to record how many found other shelter. That drastically lowered the official tally of people who found help.
