Discussion about this post

User's avatar
JW's avatar
Jun 29Edited

At the end of the day, the mayor gave little to no real consideration to the placement of this shelter. He ran on a promise to end unsheltered homelessness—but promises mean nothing without a thoughtful, workable plan. This is reactive policy with no real vision or care regarding what the fallout will be, something we unfortunately have grown very used to tolerating (to our ongoing detriment) in this city.

The term *NIMBY* has become a blunt weapon in Portland, used to discredit legitimate concerns. It’s not unreasonable to expect safe, livable neighborhoods. Wanting basic order is not a lack of compassion—it’s a call for accountability. There’s a line between compassion and enabling, and this city crossed it long ago. If our current leaders can’t see that, they aren’t the right people for these jobs.

Expand full comment
Naomi's avatar

Mayor Wilson—who portrayed himself as a man of the people when he was campaigning—apparently has no desire to actually listen to we the people. His quantity-over-quality warehousing approach to homelessness (“1200 beds!”) doesn’t address any of the underlying causes (e.g. drug addiction, mental illness, physical disability, joblessness) of this growing urban issue. And criticizing those who would protect their already challenged neighborhood from a city-imposed influx of often drug-using, littering, begging and/or mentally unstable people as “NIMBY” adds insult to injury. As someone who's lived in the Pearl District for 25 years, I strongly object to Wilson's irrational and unwelcome plan for our neighborhood.

Expand full comment
15 more comments...

No posts