Wheeler, city leaders to announce updates on temporary shelter sites
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, alongside other city leaders, are expected to update the community on plans to implement temporary alternative shelter sites at 10 a.m. Thursday.
The update comes after Wheeler proposed plans to build six mass sanctioned homeless shelters across the city. Officials said they anticipate the shelters to house 150 people, and eventually increase to 250 people.
In December 2022, Portland City Council voted to put $27 million towards Wheeler's homeless plan, which also includes connecting those who are unsheltered with needed resources.
The progress report comes after Governor Tina Kotek declared a homelessness state of emergency on her first day in office in January. The governor has also urged Oregon lawmakers to pass a $155 million spending package to address the homelessness and housing crisis -- lawmakers have since tacked on additional policy, proposing a $200 million package.
KOIN 6 News will update this story as it develops.