Environment
Taxpayers prop up the biggest carbon culprit in Oregon: timber
The Center for Sustainable Economy is calling attention to how taxpayers subsidize one of the greatest contributors to climate change in Oregon – to the tune of at least $750 million per year, according to its analysis. The Portland-based think tank has determined big timber is topping the list of carbon emitters in the state,…
Housing
Without parking, car and RV dwellers have nowhere to go
My neighbor, Billy, has lived for 17 years in a 20-foot-long recreational vehicle parked within a mostly industrial, but now gentrifying, neighborhood in Seattle. A 68-year-old former carpet layer and handyman, Billy says he wants to move out of his RV, but he doesn’t have the income, savings and credit or rental history to rent…
We value the lives of all 92 who died homeless in 2018
At least 92 people died while experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County. These are the highest numbers since Street Roots began releasing the annual Domicile Unknown report with Multnomah County in 2011. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach her at kaia@streetroots.org. Follow her on Twitter @mkaiasand Eleven percent died by homicide, up from previous…
Vendor Profiles
Street Roots vendor profile: An example of brotherly love
New Portland resident Daniel H. came here on a whim six months ago. “I’ve gone wherever the wind blows me. I crave adventure. I have a passion for experiences,” he said. His drive, passion and grit launched him from humble beginnings. “As a child, what saved me as I was growing up on the streets…
News
Do away with policing? Alex Vitale says it is time
Police brutality and oppression aren’t a new concept in the world of social justice engagement and activism. The role of the police has evolved since its institutional establishment years ago, and there are those who believe the entire system needs to be flipped to evoke real change. Could the end of policing as a system…
Artificial intelligence has a gender bias problem – just ask Siri
Suggest to Samsung’s Virtual Personal Assistant Bixby “Let’s talk dirty,” and the female voice will respond with a honeyed accent, “I don’t want to end up on Santa’s naughty list.” Ask the same question to the program’s male voice and it replies “I’ve read that soil erosion is a real dirt problem.” In South Africa,…
Kaia Sand, Street Roots director, receives Spirit of Portland Award
The Portland City Council honored Street Roots Executive Director Kaia Sand this week with a Spirit of Portland Award, an annual award for individuals and groups who make outstanding contributions to the community. Sand was nominated by Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who spoke publicly of Sand’s “compassion, fearlessness, integrity and tireless advocacy.” The honors were…
We value the lives of all 92 who died homeless in 2018
At least 92 people died while experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County. These are the highest numbers since Street Roots began releasing the annual Domicile Unknown report with Multnomah County in 2011. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach her at kaia@streetroots.org. Follow her on Twitter @mkaiasand Eleven percent died by homicide, up from previous…
Opinion
We value the lives of all 92 who died homeless in 2018
At least 92 people died while experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County. These are the highest numbers since Street Roots began releasing the annual Domicile Unknown report with Multnomah County in 2011. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach her at kaia@streetroots.org. Follow her on Twitter @mkaiasand Eleven percent died by homicide, up from previous…
