Homelessness: Charlie Hales announces new strategy


The Portland mayor has a new four-part plan to address homelessness.

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Mayor Charlie Hales on Monday unveiled a four-pronged strategy to grapple with homelessness in Portland, including new plans for legalized outdoor camps and overnight tent camping in certain locations.

The controversial strategy focuses only on short-term fixes that can be evaluated for six months and is separate from broader efforts to build more affordable housing.

The plan — once fully implemented — will carry the most obvious changes in how Portland addresses homelessness since the City Council declared an emergency last fall. As envisioned, city-approved homeless camps could spring up in some neighborhoods and the prevalence of overnight tents may grow.

(READ MORE: Oregon Live)

Hales’ top aide, Josh Alpert, told Oregon Live that the paln will move forward without City Council approval.