City to Resume Camping Enforcement in November with Focus on Shelter and Services

The City of Portland will resume enforcement of its public camping ordinancebeginning in November, with an emphasis on connecting people to available shelter and supportive services.

Mayor Wilson paused enforcement in February to allow the City and its partners to develop hundreds of emergency shelter beds. More than a thousand additional overnight beds have been announced so far this year, adding to the 776 alternative shelters as part of the City's portfolio.

Portlanders should not expect a sharp increase in the number of citations over the weekend or in the coming weeks. With the City continuing to add shelter capacity and resources, outreach teams and enforcement staff can now offer shelter and supportive services before issuing citations.

This policy differs from prior practices that at times emphasized arrest when people did not comply with the ordinance; under the new approach set by Mayor Wilson, the emphasis is on service connection. Police may issue citations after reasonable alternative shelter has been offered and declined or when campsites violate other restrictions in City Code. People who have outstanding warrants or who are engaged in criminal activity may be subject to arrest.

"We can't arrest our way out of homelessness, nor should we," said Mayor Keith Wilson. "I've asked our police to issue citations for lawbreaking behavior and actions that harm our community. No one will be arrested simply for camping, nor should they."

Reasonable alternate shelter may include congregate shelters, transitional housing, hotel or motel placements, or other appropriate overnight facilities. Staff will evaluate suitability based on individual needs. Individuals who lack access to a reasonable alternative and who comply with the ordinance's reasonable restrictions will not be the focus of citation activity. The City maintains facilities for day storageand long-term property storage.

For full details about the ordinance, enforcement criteria, and shelter options, visit https://www.portland.gov/sscc/camping-ordinance.

The City will provide an update next week that summarizes issued citations.

Don't report encampments to 911. Call 311 or use the City's reporting portal. If you see someone in crisis, call Portland Street Response by dialing 911 or 503-823-PSR3 (7773).