PORTLAND, Oregon — A proposal to halt Portland’s homeless encampment sweeps failed after a tense and highly emotional city council meeting, concluding a week of public clashes between Mayor Keith Wilson and Councilor Angelita Morillo, who authored the amendment.
Public Testimony Dominated by Concerns Over Safety and Cleanliness
During more than three hours of testimony, business owners, parents, seniors, and neighborhood leaders described how street camping has strained public health and daily life. Many argued that encampments near schools, parks, and sidewalks have become unsafe due to drug activity, blocked pathways, and unsanitary conditions.
Most speakers urged the council to reject Morillo’s plan, which would have cut $4.3 million from the city’s Impact Reduction Program — the department responsible for clearing camps that block ADA access, create safety risks, or appear near playgrounds and schools. Her proposal sought to redirect $1.5 million toward rent assistance, food support, and services for the city’s growing population of undocumented immigrants.
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Mayor Wilson publicly opposed the amendment before the vote, encouraging residents to testify against stopping encampment removals.
Residents and Neighborhood Groups Voice Alarm
The Friends of Couch Park, a community group formed in 2023 after a machete incident in the park, stressed that children should not have to walk past tents or open drug use on their way to school.
“It is unacceptable to allow camps next to a school,” member Cawley said. “Children are a vulnerable population and deserve protection.”
Sheila, an elderly resident of Old Town, described how she and her disabled veteran husband can no longer safely navigate sidewalks near their longtime home.
“With tents, garbage, and human waste everywhere, we’re often forced to walk in the street,” she said. “Older people dodging cars is not something we ever thought we’d have to do.”
She added that major cultural attractions like the Lan Su Chinese Garden and the Japanese American Museum of Oregon have lost visitors because parking and sidewalks are frequently obstructed by camps.
Morillo’s proposed cuts, Sheila noted, also warned that 100 city jobs could be eliminated.
A Formerly Homeless Resident Shares a Different Perspective
Not all testimony came from residents opposed to the sweeps.
John Collins, who lived for more than a year in a tent under the Morrison Bridge, said camp removals helped connect him to services that ultimately changed his life.
“An outreach worker offered me a place at Multnomah Safe Rest Village,” he said. “I accepted, got clean, and started rebuilding my life.”
Collins now works full-time, is training for a CDL license, and spends his spare time encouraging unhoused individuals to accept shelter.
“There are beds available every day,” he said. “We have the resources. Let’s use them to help people out of an unhealthy lifestyle.”
City Data Shows the Scale — and Cost — of Camp Cleanups
In 2024, Portland removed 8,303 campsites and collected 6,180 tons of garbage, including hazardous materials such as discarded needles.
The total cost of cleanup operations last year exceeded $12.8 million.
Opposition to Sweeps Remains Fierce
Despite the overwhelming testimony in favor of continuing encampment removals, some residents and activists condemned the city’s policies.
A far-left activist, Keeley Higgins, delivered a long, profanity-laden speech criticizing Mayor Wilson and law enforcement agencies. While her comments contained explicit language and harsh political accusations, Higgins argued that the sweeps criminalize vulnerable people and ignore systemic issues.
Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney responded by urging speakers to maintain professionalism during public meetings.
“I understand emotions are high,” she said. “But we need to express difficult truths in a way that recognizes that children may be watching.”
What Comes Next
With the amendment rejected, Portland’s Impact Reduction Program will continue clearing camps that violate safety, health, and accessibility standards. The debate over homelessness policy, however, remains far from settled — and the city’s leaders are likely to face ongoing pressure from both sides of the issue.
