Newspaper Coverage of Homelessness

“One nonprofit’s desire to provide housing to the homeless in Astoria has moved from dream to reality. Friends of the Unsheltered, which grew out of discussions about how to address homelessness, now has a three-bedroom house on Bond Street to offer. The nonprofit will work with Clatsop Community Action to match people enrolled in the social service agency’s housing programs with rooms available in what they are calling Friends House.”

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“No one expected the task force Astoria created in 2017 would solve homelessness. Our small town does not hold the secret to a problem overwhelming cities across the West. Housing, drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness are some of the many factors behind a surge of people living on the streets. Mayor Arline LaMear’s idea was to build on the conversations on homelessness that led to portable restrooms near the Astoria Riverwalk to discourage people from urinating and defecating in public.”

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“SEATTLE — Six people have now died from coronavirus in Washington state, health officials said Monday as local leaders said they would purchase a hotel to use as a hospital and provide housing for vulnerable homeless people amid outbreak fears.”

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“PORTLAND — On a recent Saturday afternoon, Alan Evans strolled through the hallways of northeast Portland’s Wapato Jail singing Freddy Fender’s 1974 hit ‘Before the Next Teardrop Falls.’ Around him, 300 or so curious Portlanders roamed freely through the never-used jail, pressing their faces against the glass panes of the facility’s visitation rooms and meandering through the industrial freezer. All had come to hear Evans’ plan to convert the facility into a massive homeless shelter.”

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“Two years after its formation, a task force intended to confront homelessness in Astoria has found few concrete solutions. The task force endorsed a Helping Hands reentry facility in Uniontown and advised police on a sweep of camps in the woods. But other ideas, including a fine forgiveness program, have been left sitting on the back burner for months, simmering in subcommittee discussions. Now a homeless services coordinator might be named to gather data and address gaps across Clatsop County.”

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Ever wanted to see inside the Astoria Warming Center? Here’s your chance! The Astorian produced a great 2-minute video. This will entice you to volunteer. Send an email to astoriawarmingcenter@gmail.com for questions or to sign up as a volunteer.

Watch the video here.

“Cities struggling with homelessness are expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries under legislation sponsored by state House Speaker Tina Kotek. But not every city official fully supports the idea, with worries that it could limit local governments’ control over where homeless shelters are built. House Bill 4001, one of Kotek’s legislative priorities, is designed to help boost the number of homeless shelters in Oregon by this fall.”

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The good news is Warrenton approved a measured plan to increase its housing stock. However, the article ends with “The City Commission… struck Cronin’s language defining transitional housing ‘provided as a social service to homeless such as a shelter, warming center or dormitory.’ Mayor Henry Balensifer said he isn’t opposed to transitional housing, but worried about setting a precedent allowing it before the city has developed standards to regulate such development.”

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“The authors assert America has failed its children. But they also point to solutions. The authors note having high-quality early childhood programs, universal high school graduation, universal health care, ending homelessness for children and giving a monthly child allowance as ways to help abate our current state of chaos.’”

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“Amid all the niche gourmet food carts at 11th and Duane streets, Sally and Eric Irvine are Keeping it Sweet and Simple. The husband-and-wife owners of the new eatery, housed in Samuel Bruhn’s short-lived Half Pint Donuts cart between Pizutti’s Woodfired Pizza and Coffee OR Waffle, are targeting the more economical breakfast and lunch fare.”

They would enjoy having a covered area for customers but….

“In the rainy season, carts focus on staying afloat and drawing in locals. Like some of their neighbors, the Irvines hope property owner Michael Bruhn will install a covered area for customers. He has resisted over fears the homeless will camp out there. ‘My point of view is, they’re hanging out whether we give them a covered area or not,’ Sally Irvine said. ‘So if they wanted to get into any of our stuff or be bad people, they’re going to do it whether there’s a covered area or not … It would sure help us business-wise.’”

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“Melissa Faber moved to Seaside in 2016 for a fresh start. After spending years in and out of jail, she was ready to create a life of sobriety, but things got worse before they got better. Faber moved in with a friend and stopped using drugs, but spiraled again, spending the next year and a half using drugs and living homeless.”

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“Legislators will roll up their sleeves for some speedy politicking in February, tackling some of Oregon’s thorniest problems. When they gather for the monthlong legislative session, legislators want to improve the state’s care for people with mental illness and the ability to fight increasingly destructive wildfires. They want to protect the state’s air quality by decreasing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Also high on the ‘to-do’ list is moving thousands of homeless people off the street and into housing.”

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“Clatsop County will soon get an updated count on homelessness. Clatsop Community Action will host the 10th annual Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center. Over 40 other nonprofit, governmental and faith-based agencies throughout the North Coast will also offer services. ‘I think it’s a way of instilling hope in people who are experiencing homelessness who are already feeling very, very hopeless with the situation that they’re in,” said Susan Prettyman, Clatsop Community Action’s housing manager.’”

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“Chilly winds and hail don’t bother Buckshot Cunningham, who lived outside without a shelter for years until he came across a tiny house village in southern Oregon. ‘This is my umbrella,’ he says as he shrugs on the hood of his coat, walking into a late January winter storm. Hope Village is run by Rogue Retreat, a nonprofit serving low-income people in Medford. It’s a collection of about a dozen small cottages with a communal kitchen, dining area and bathrooms….”

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“The Oregon Legislature could be poised to make its most significant investment to relieve the effects of a statewide homelessness crisis as House Speaker Tina Kotek prepares a bill that would allocate $40 million to create new shelters. She wants the Legislature to pass a bill that would declare a homelessness state of emergency that would allow local governments to bypass zoning restrictions when siting shelters and other critically needed space for homeless people to escape the elements. She also wants the state to provide money to create and operate such places.”

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“With the North Coast’s affordable housing crisis in full swing, it is hard to defend Clatsop County’s rule about recreational vehicle living. The rule restricts people from living in their campers, trailers and other recreational vehicles to no more than 30 days out of a 90-day period. Simple question: Where are they going to spend the other two-thirds of the time? In November, the Oregon Law Center contacted the county asking it to loosen up its rules, which have been on the books since the early 1980s.”

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“A Clatsop County ordinance has drawn criticism over concerns that it exacerbates the housing crisis. The code limits people to living in their campers, trailers and other recreational vehicles no more than 30 days out of a 90-day period.
Several RVs find free parking on side streets on the North Coast. A similar code exists in counties throughout the state. But with the lack of affordable housing in Clatsop County, the code raises the question: If people can’t live in their RVs, then where do they go?”

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“The death of a 72-year-old homeless woman on the streets of Astoria this week rattled city officials and advocates, leading them to question what more could have been done to help her. Gail Griffey died of natural causes on Tuesday, according to police. She had been reported unconscious and unresponsive that night outside of T&C Home Furnishings on Commercial Street and was pronounced dead at Columbia Memorial Hospital.”

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“Astoria and Warrenton are on track to allow a denser, more diverse array of housing in single-family neighborhoods.

A countywide housing study showed a lack of affordable workforce housing. Since then, cities have been trying to diversify the region’s housing stock through code, zoning and other changes in building rules.”

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“WARRENTON — The city is struggling to guard vacant property against homeless camps and illegal activity. Police recently found private property behind Goodwill in wreckage. Garbage, clothes, used needles and other items are strewn throughout the more than 11 acres. Around the same time, there were three fires within a 24-hour period at camps on vacant land, including the property behind Goodwill. A man living in a camp on the property was cited for reckless burning.”

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“HA homeless camp near 40th Street and Lief Erikson Drive in Astoria was removed Wednesday by a contractor for the city. Police say the camp, which was reportedly abandoned, was constructed of wood and had windows….”

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“Helping Hands in Clatsop, Tillamook, Yamhill and Lincoln counties received an $85,000 grant from Oregon Housing and Community Services to strengthen winter shelter for people who are homeless….”

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“The Astoria Warming Center’s winter season starts Friday and runs through March 15. The emergency overnight shelter, located in the basement of the First United Methodist Church, opens when the weather dips below 37 degrees Fahrenheit or there is heavy rain. It operates under a conditional use permit from the city and has a “zero tolerance” policy for bad behavior, banning people who don’t follow the rules….”

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“Hamlet native David Cornes found himself out of work and a home a decade ago in Colorado’s Vail Valley. After living in a motor home at rest stops and pullouts, he eventually found some stability with the help of a nearby homeless shelter. Now back home, Cornes wants to give back, donating his pottery to a silent auction supporting the Astoria Warming Center during this month’s Second Saturday Art Walk….”

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National Story: “Even with an economics degree from Yale and job experience on Wall Street and in Hollywood, Shawn Pleasants was homeless for 10 years. After seeing his story on CNN, a fellow Yale alumni decided to step in to help.”

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“Government leaders across Clatsop County appear supportive of naming a homeless liaison, if the position and how much it will cost can be better defined. Astoria Police Chief Geoff Spalding broached the idea at a recent meeting of the city’s homelessness solutions task force, noting a 300% increase in calls this year related to the homeless, likely tied to increased awareness of the issue.”

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“A homeless man was reportedly assaulted early Saturday morning on the Astoria Riverwalk behind Safeway.”

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“As the Seattle area tries to tackle its homelessness crisis, an official wants to spend $1 million to expand a strategy of buying bus tickets out of town for people living on the streets. The concept of sending homeless people back to where they say they’re from or may have support has been in place for decades in parts of the U.S. struggling to get people off the streets.”

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“… Others have wondered if the pond will be abused by the community or become a place for people who are homeless to camp out. One man who gave testimony during a public hearing on a proposed Grocery Outlet nearby joked about how the store could provide affordable toiletries to the homeless ‘after they’re done using the new bathing center at the maritime museum.’”

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“A homeless man accused of hitting a man over the head with a hatchet pleaded no contest Monday to assault and tampering with a witness.”

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“Police calls related to homelessness remain high in Astoria, but the number of illegal camping complaints appears to be down from last year.”

“Warrenton, which is used to a more seasonal homeless population, is seeing a high volume of police calls, as well as numerous camps.”

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“At 7 years old, Whitlock was diagnosed with epilepsy. The condition delayed her learning abilities, which led to her falling behind in school. ‘Whether it was sounds or lights or stress, I had a hard time processing … those sensitivities,” she said. “It’s like a computer acting up. My body would shut down and restart. I basically needed to reboot my brain.’”

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“The rate of suicide among people who are homeless is estimated to be nine times higher than the general population of the United States.”

“Knowing all of this, Amy Baker, the executive director of Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, plans to add two more people to a small team of recovery allies later this year. The recovery allies’ job is to reach out directly to people with substance abuse issues who may not be ready to engage with services. Though the focus is on substance abuse, allies would go where high-risk people, including those who are homeless, already are: hospital emergency rooms, the county jail, or the streets of Astoria.”

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“Astoria is taking steps to address ‘bad behavior’ among some of the homeless downtown.”

“Picnic tables between the American Legion and a public parking lot on Exchange Street that have become a gathering spot for the homeless have been removed. City properties, including the library, will soon join private businesses on the police department’s Property Watch list, giving officers clear direction on how they should supervise the sites after hours.”

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“The Astoria Police Department is beginning to track what it calls “aggressive activity” by people who are homeless. For the most part, homeless people approached by police because of things like trespassing or alcohol violations interact peacefully and reasonably, Police Chief Geoff Spalding said. But officers felt they were beginning to see a rise in confrontational and aggressive behavior.”

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“No injuries or major damage were reported in a fire at a homeless camp behind Goodwill on Saturday night.”

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“…some city leaders are concerned about what they see as a major change when it comes to the homeless. They are noticing more camps around town and an increase in suspicious activity along river trails, Planning Commissioner Ryan Lampi and Commissioner Christine Bridgens said at the end of a commission meeting Thursday.”

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“It only took a few minutes in front of a judge in February and suddenly Chris Crone had an option for dealing with thousands of dollars in unpaid fines. The fines had piled up over the years and, along with other bills and debts, threatened to overwhelm him. Crone, 49, has been homeless on and off for most of his life.”

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Three locals give their answers.

See their responses here.

“Several city councilors believe Astoria could do more to support projects that help the homeless.”

“During an annual goal-setting session Monday, Councilor Joan Herman and Councilor Roger Rocka urged the council to include a daytime drop-in center for the homeless on a draft list of priorities for the year.”

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“A top administrator for the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority who was put on administrative leave last spring is suing the organization and its executive director.”

“In a lawsuit filed on Monday, Teresa Sims, the deputy director, alleges that she has faced retaliation from Todd Johnston and the housing authority for speaking out about mismanaged public funds and unlawful hiring practices.”

[Note-NOHA is responsible for Section 8 housing vouchers in Clatsop County (and others). Vouchers are of particular importance to the homeless, disabled, and elderly. There is currently about a three year wait for a voucher once an applicant is accepted onto the wait list.]

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“There is a new push to open a daytime drop-in center for the homeless in Astoria.”

“Former Mayor Arline LaMear has said a drop-in center is critical in addressing homelessness and it was something she would have liked to see established during her time as mayor. But she and other city leaders were doubtful that city resources could create and maintain a facility.”

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“A task force created over a year ago to address homelessness in Astoria feels like it can claim some victories. But not everyone agrees there is progress. Under the leadership of a new mayor, the group is now examining what remains to be done and what is even possible.”

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“When I finished reading the Property Watch story last week in The Daily Astorian (“Business leaders say Property Watch has worked well, but issues persist,” Jan. 11), I thought that the concept is 180 degrees wrong. But after further reflection, I think it’s about 50 percent complete. Allowing police to monitor business properties after hours is certainly a tool in the community toolbox, but by no means the exclusive fix.”

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“As an Astoria police program meant to help businesses monitor property enters its third year, it represents a small solution in the city’s otherwise fluid response to homelessness. Property Watch, which allows officers to supervise commercial and apartment properties after hours on the owners’ behalf, was rebooted in 2017 to curb aggressive panhandling downtown. It attracted 36 participants in its first year. Last year, 68 businesses signed on.”

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“The Astoria Police Department has called a sweep of homeless camps in the woods on the east end of town a success, but some have criticized how the city went about cleaning up the sites.”

“Before the sweep, Police Chief Geoff Spalding said any personal possessions recovered from campsites would be held at the police department for up to 30 days for people to claim. But nothing was saved…. it was difficult to distinguish between trash and personal possessions. Besides, Spalding said, the police department had nowhere to store possessions.”

“Annie Martin, president of the Astoria Warming Center board, noted the sweep happened well before the emergency shelter opened. Up to the day of the sweep, a number of homeless campers said they still didn’t know where they were going to go, while others simply moved deeper into the woods.”

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“Officers had planned to begin clearing camps Tuesday after posting cleanup notices and talking to campers last week. But police have delayed the sweeps until Friday after two homeless people camping in the woods, claiming disabilities, sent notices to the city under the Fair Housing Act. They asked for more time to clean up their camps and find somewhere else to go, Police Chief Geoff Spalding told the City Council.”

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“The City Council, at Mayor Arline LaMear’s request, decided to delay amending the rule [illegal camping] to give the mayor’s homelessness solutions task force time to talke about the issue.”

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