The city of Portland program to clear out large homeless encampments will not solve the problem. The city’s homeless will simply set up somewhere else. Remember Deering Oaks? Some homeless people will never go to a shelter. They camp year-round and have accumulated lots of belongings – tents, sleeping bags, coolers, propane heaters, barbecues, etc. – that they can’t take into a shelter, and they don’t want to lose those items.
Portland needs to find city land, somewhere from the East End to the Libbytown area, where the homeless can camp year-round until the immediate homeless housing situation in Portland is resolved. Two sites would be better. The land should be provided with trash cans or a dumpster, porta-potties, etc., and be serviced by the city of Portland.
Contacting Augusta for help is fruitless. State government throws reactive money at the problem instead of being proactive to solve the situation. Portland better do something immediately. If you think the homeless situation is bad now, wait until Title 42 expires.
Peter Ferrante
Portland
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