Portland, Oregon, has approved new rules regarding homeless camping on public property, which could lead to fines or jail time for individuals who refuse shelter offers. The City Council unanimously endorsed these measures on Wednesday.
Under the new rules, homeless individuals camping on public property and declining offers of shelter could face fines of up to $100 or up to seven days in jail. The regulations also stipulate penalties for activities like obstructing sidewalks, using gas heaters or starting fires, and keeping belongings more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) outside of tents when shelter is unavailable.
Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office announced that the ordinance is effective immediately, with enforcement expected to commence in the upcoming weeks. Mayor Wheeler emphasized the complexity and urgency of addressing unsheltered homelessness, stating that this ordinance signifies a significant advancement in managing public spaces more effectively.
According to the mayor’s office, individuals who accept shelter offers will not be subject to citations. For those who receive citations, courts will determine whether fines should be waived. The ordinance aims to steer individuals towards assessment, emergency shelter, or housing rather than incarceration.
The new rules are intended to comply with state law, which mandates “objectively reasonable” restrictions on public camping. An earlier, more stringent version of the ordinance, which prohibited camping during daylight hours under threat of fines or jail time, has been suspended by a judge pending resolution of a lawsuit filed by advocates on behalf of homeless individuals.
This development coincides with ongoing challenges faced by Portland and other Western U.S. cities in managing increasing homeless encampments. While officials argue the need to regulate encampments for public safety and hygiene, advocacy groups stress that individuals lacking housing should not be subject to criminal penalties.
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating a case brought by Grants Pass, a small town in Oregon, which questions whether cities can penalize individuals for sleeping outside when shelter space is limited. This case is regarded as one of the most significant on this issue in decades, occurring amid a national surge in homelessness.