how portland is solving the homeless problem

Portland is getting kudos- and copycats- from San Francisco to Calgary for their Home Again, 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Over the years, when I went home to visit family and friends, I got used to seeing the many homeless people who hang in or around the Portland area. It wasn't too shocking; I've spent a lot of time on the west coast and the homeless problem in Oregon is mimicked in any large city with mild temperatures. But Portland has also suffered from a high street crime rate that's disproportionate to the city's size.

The city has taken innovative steps to resolve the homeless problem, and major cities across the U.S. are taking notice. Street crime rates had plummeted by the end of 2007, as more and more steps of Portland's 10-year plan to end homelessness were implemented. And they managed to do it all without running afoul of homeless advocates. Amazing.

It's a detailed report, but it's worth reading: Portland's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

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