PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A heated debate is unfolding in Portland as residents and city officials clash over a proposal to slash funding for the city’s Impact Reduction Program, which handles the clean-up of homeless camps and street debris. The proposed $4.3 million budget cut has sparked widespread concern among community members who say the program is vital for neighborhood safety and cleanliness.
Community Rallies to Save Clean-Up Program
More than 200 residents gathered at an emergency meeting organized by the Northwest District Association (NWDA) to voice their opposition to the proposal. Representatives from the offices of Mayor Keith Wilson, and Councilors Olivia Clark and Erik Zimmerman attended the meeting, all standing firmly against the cut.
The proposal, introduced by Councilor Angelita Morillo, suggests diverting funds from the Impact Reduction Program toward housing, food assistance, and immigrant relations initiatives. A vote on the amendment is scheduled for Wednesday’s Portland City Council session.
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Dispute Between City Officials
Mayor Wilson has been outspoken against the proposal. In a newsletter, he credited the Impact Reduction Program with removing over 12 million pounds of hazardous garbage from city streets in the past year. Wilson warned that the funding cut could leave “millions more pounds of trash uncollected,” worsening public health and safety conditions.
In response, Morillo accused the mayor of mischaracterizing her amendment, clarifying that it aims to halt encampment sweeps but does not eliminate funding for trash removal. “Sweeping is a game of whack-a-mole where you are moving people from sidewalk to sidewalk,” she said, emphasizing that her plan focuses on more humane and sustainable solutions rather than punitive measures.
Under her proposal, $4.3 million would be cut from the Impact Reduction Program, while $1.5 million would be redirected toward food and rent assistance for low-income residents and immigrants.
Residents Voice Safety and Cleanliness Concerns
At Tuesday’s NWDA meeting, residents and community leaders expressed fears that eliminating or reducing the clean-up program could lead to rising safety issues.
NWDA President Todd Zarnitz called the proposal “disastrous,” arguing that it would harm efforts to maintain livable neighborhoods. “People want to defund a program that’s actually making our neighborhoods safe and livable,” Zarnitz said. “Why would you pull funding from a program that helps clean streets, supports people getting off the streets, and makes the community a place we can all enjoy?”
Neighbor Lisa Carney-Fenton echoed similar concerns, saying, “We depend on that program because we have so many problems on the perimeter. We need impact reduction to keep our neighborhoods safe and clean.”
The Pearl District Neighborhood Association also joined in opposition, highlighting the program’s record of clearing thousands of camps and removing millions of pounds of waste citywide.
Potential Job Losses Add to Tensions
Mayor Wilson warned that the funding cut could result in the layoff of up to 100 city workers, many of whom were hired through a workforce recovery initiative. Morillo, however, disputes this claim, saying her amendment does not mandate such layoffs and that her focus is on redirecting resources toward long-term support systems.
Alternative Proposal Gains Traction
Amid rising backlash, Councilor Loretta Smith introduced an alternative amendment on Wednesday that seeks to restore the full $4.3 million to the Impact Reduction Program. Smith described the program as “essential for creating safer, cleaner neighborhoods and supporting campsite sweeps and clean-up initiatives.”
Her proposal also includes $873,000 in carryover funds for the Portland Police Bureau, $1 million for Portland Parks and Recreation, and support for Morillo’s allocations toward rent assistance, food aid, and restoring $10 million for city employee cost-of-living adjustments.
City Council Vote Expected
The final decision rests with the Portland City Council, which is set to vote at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Hundreds of Portland residents have already registered to provide public testimony, underscoring how deeply the issue has divided the community.
Whether the council sides with those calling for fiscal redirection or those defending the city’s clean-up efforts, the outcome will likely shape Portland’s approach to homelessness, safety, and neighborhood maintenance for years to come.
