Peter, a veteran of homelessness gives his opinion of life on the streets My name is Peter, and I have lived on the streets of Portland for over 10 years. Unlike many people, I did not have a bad experience. I managed to keep clean and well-fed, and my he ...
22 Nov 2023 - Peter Salzmann
Opinion | Unhoused constituents have important experiences to inform policy Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Commissioner Susheela Jayapal gathered for policy input from 14 constituents in a room crowded with backpacks, duffle bags, walker ...
5 Apr 2023 - Kaia Sand and Haley Grieco-Page
Commissioner Rene Gonzalez prohibiting first responders from distributing tents is unethical — so is turning away from 'grim and murderous reality' In January 2017, a woman lost and alone in a Portland snowstorm suffered through the agony of lab ...
22 Mar 2023 - Ariel Stone
Opinion | Requesting PSR requires calling 911, here's how it works:- A woman was in distress, standing in Peninsula Park. The caller knew her and requested Portland Street Response to help her calm down. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street ...
16 Mar 2023 - Kaia Sand
OPINION | 890 Street Roots supporters pitched in $30,000 of snow aid “ This snow pay is so generous and awesome," Dumpsta D, Street Roots vendor, said. "We really do love our customers for stepping up to the plate in true ‘Supportland’ style. It ...
7 Mar 2023 - Kaia Sand
OPINION | House Bill 2001 expands on Gov. Kotek's homelessness state of emergency People across the state are struggling with homelessness, and it’s not always easy to see. Not only are people in tents, but also in RVs and campers without access to w ...
1 Mar 2023 - Kaia Sand
OPINION | County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announces plan to begin housing homeless Multnomah County residents Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced a planned $14 million investment to begin housing homeless Multnomah County residents F ...
8 Feb 2023 - Kaia Sand
The Mental Health Association of Portland opposes city of Portland’s camps for people who are homeless, as described in five resolutions passed by four of five City Council members The Mental Health Association of Portland opposes the city of Portland’s c ...
16 Nov 2022 - Mental Health A...
Access Denied | Sweeping Portlanders without viable alternatives isn’t a plan Imagine that you’re eating cookies in the kitchen. No plate, no napkin. Standing over the counter, a dusting of crumbs forms under you. Using one hand, you collect them and form ...
9 Nov 2022 - Hanna Brooks Olsen
OPINION | Portland City Council’s camping-ban vote ignores concerns of unhoused Portlanders, undermines progress Like a car wrenching into a U-turn on a slick and treacherous road, Portland City Council dangerously pivoted our city when it voted to ban un ...
7 Nov 2022 - Kaia Sand