President's executive actions, proposed state cuts spell disaster for Oregonians Trying to understand all of the policy decisions being made by both the Trump administration and the Oregon State Legislature is like waiting for the impact of a car cra ...
26 Jan 2017 - Israel Bayer
DIRECTOR'S DESK | Portland's mayor says his priorities are protecting renters' rights, adding affordable housing I had the opportunity to sit down with Mayor Ted Wheeler last week in the midst of the snowstorm to talk about housing and home ...
19 Jan 2017 - Israel Bayer
Organized camps, income opportunities, education can be implemented immediately The frustration and conflict between neighbors and people experiencing homelessness has always existed. Saying that, in the past few months it has reached an all-time high – n ...
1 Sep 2016 - Israel Bayer
We have work to do to tackle many community problems, especially in the context of poverty Homelessness. Housing. Crisis. Those three words have become commonplace in our city over the past three years. It’s for good reason too. The skyrocketing rents a ...
25 Aug 2016 - Israel Bayer
Proposal for massive Portland homeless shelter is half-baked at best In June, I wrote about a new proposal by developers Homer Williams and Dike Dame. The original idea was a $100 million plan to build space for 700 new shelter beds and create 700 beds in ...
11 Aug 2016 - Israel Bayer
Homelessness is anything but normal Standing in line waiting for dinner after a long day, a day after returning from vacation, I checked my email. It was a hospital social worker. Simon was in the emergency room again. The fourth time this week. It was a ...
14 Jul 2016 - Israel Bayer
A $258 million city bond will provide housing for thousands of people With the endorsement of the City Council, Portland will see a $258 million affordable housing bond on the ballot in November. It’s a historic moment. The campaign is called Yes for Affo ...
30 Jun 2016 - Israel Bayer
The narrative in some circles that the business community is against the homeless is false Street Roots was honored to receive the Portland Pearl Rotary Club’s Community Vision Award last week. Speaking to a room full of business representatives and Pearl ...
16 Jun 2016 - Israel Bayer
Community is limited by debating why things can’t be achieved instead of how they can I have witnessed people suffering on the streets every day — all day, year after year, for the past 15 years. They are traumatized. I am traumatized. People tell me on ...
26 May 2016 - Israel Bayer
There's no good reason a minor business tax hike should stir controversy Each of the proposed budgets by Multnomah County and Portland invests heavily in housing and homeless services, pledging more than $50 million in additional support toward the h ...
5 May 2016 - Israel Bayer