Cleanup as Opportunity for Portland’s Unsheltered —one idea
Portland’s struggles with homelessness and livability are well known, but I believe we’re overlooking a simple, practical solution: paid cleanup work for our unsheltered neighbors.
Cities like Denver and Albuquerque have already shown how this works—hiring people living outside to pick up trash, remove graffiti, and maintain parks, with same-day pay and no heavy barriers. The results speak for themselves: cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, and participants gaining income, purpose, and a step toward stability.
Here in Portland, Street Roots has long proven that low-barrier work can restore dignity and pride. Why not expand that model into cleanup teams that directly improve our neighborhoods? Instead of seeing unsheltered residents only as part of the problem, we could empower them to be part of the solution.
It’s time to give Portland a win-win: cleaner public spaces and real opportunities for those who need them most.
Portland has several programs, notably Ground Score and its affiliated GLITTER program, that pay people experiencing homelessness to clean up trash on the streets. These initiatives provide a stable income, from $20-$29 per hour, along with access to support services like healthcare and addiction support, helping participants achieve dignity, community, and stable housing.
The idea has been tried in a piecemeal way with mixed results for several years. Ground Score seems to be experiencing good luck at the moment. Portland's City Impact Reduction Program partners with Ground Score through Glitter:
Thank you Michael for providing links for these programs. There are 55 people employed by GLITTER. They are paid above the minimum wage because the work is dangerous, strenuous and outdoors in all types of weather. The GLITTER program is funded through contracts with the City of Portland's Homelessness & Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program, as well as through agreements with Multnomah County and the Lloyd Enhanced Services District. When people question how much the city is paying for homeless services, this is a good example of a funded programs that is helping people get off the streets
They have the similar types of newspapers in California: Street Spirit, Street Sheet, Street Views and Community Connection to name a few. He didn't need to come all the way to Portland for that. Was he looking for work by any chance? The idea of hiring people living outside to pick up trash, remove graffiti and maintain parks sounds good to me.
Cleanup as Opportunity for Portland’s Unsheltered —one idea
Portland’s struggles with homelessness and livability are well known, but I believe we’re overlooking a simple, practical solution: paid cleanup work for our unsheltered neighbors.
Cities like Denver and Albuquerque have already shown how this works—hiring people living outside to pick up trash, remove graffiti, and maintain parks, with same-day pay and no heavy barriers. The results speak for themselves: cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, and participants gaining income, purpose, and a step toward stability.
Here in Portland, Street Roots has long proven that low-barrier work can restore dignity and pride. Why not expand that model into cleanup teams that directly improve our neighborhoods? Instead of seeing unsheltered residents only as part of the problem, we could empower them to be part of the solution.
It’s time to give Portland a win-win: cleaner public spaces and real opportunities for those who need them most.
Sincerely,
Pearl District Resident
Portland has several programs, notably Ground Score and its affiliated GLITTER program, that pay people experiencing homelessness to clean up trash on the streets. These initiatives provide a stable income, from $20-$29 per hour, along with access to support services like healthcare and addiction support, helping participants achieve dignity, community, and stable housing.
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/portland-homeless-trash-pickup-ground-score
The idea has been tried in a piecemeal way with mixed results for several years. Ground Score seems to be experiencing good luck at the moment. Portland's City Impact Reduction Program partners with Ground Score through Glitter:
https://www.portland.gov/homelessness-impact-reduction/news/2024/11/26/small-city-partnership-yields-big-returns-people
I don't if if there is any integration or planning in conjunction with unpaid volunteer SOLVE pick-up crews.
Thanks for the information I’m sure there are many other ways of creating win-wins for all and giving dignity to those in need—
Thank you Michael for providing links for these programs. There are 55 people employed by GLITTER. They are paid above the minimum wage because the work is dangerous, strenuous and outdoors in all types of weather. The GLITTER program is funded through contracts with the City of Portland's Homelessness & Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program, as well as through agreements with Multnomah County and the Lloyd Enhanced Services District. When people question how much the city is paying for homeless services, this is a good example of a funded programs that is helping people get off the streets
They have the similar types of newspapers in California: Street Spirit, Street Sheet, Street Views and Community Connection to name a few. He didn't need to come all the way to Portland for that. Was he looking for work by any chance? The idea of hiring people living outside to pick up trash, remove graffiti and maintain parks sounds good to me.