The Safe Sleep Policy, enacted by the mayor in February without City Council approval, allows homeless people to sleep in tents in select public areas and on sidewalks. Now a coalition of business groups says the policy was an overreach of power.
"A coalition of Portland business groups, neighborhood associations, and a food cart pod are suing Mayor Charlie Hales and the city," reports Amelia Templeton.
The groups filed the lawsuit in Multnomah County circuit court, claiming "the mayor’s new policy allowing homeless camping on some public property violates state law and city code."
Brad Schmidt also provides coverage of the lawsuit, offering more details on the possible outcomes of the lawsuit and soundbites from the lawyers representing the coalition of business and neighborhood organizations that filed the laswsuit.
According to Schmidt, "The lawsuit is a remarkable event in the city's checkered history dealing with homelessness. In the past, civil-rights advocates have successfully sued Portland over unconstitutional sidewalk rules and anti-camping laws that didn't account for the belongings of homeless Portlanders."
For more information on the policy behind the lawsuit, see the city of Portland website devoted to the Safe Sleep Policy, as it's called. The policy is intended as a six-month pilot project.
FULL STORY: Portland sued over homeless camping
Moving Day for Portland's 'Right to Dream Too' Homeless Camp Delayed
Two years of work by the city to move the location of the Right 2 Dream Too homeless encampment, including the purchase of land for a new location, has stalled in the final hour.
Portland to Buy Land for Homeless Camp
The city of Portland has allocated funding for the purchase of land reported to be under consideration as the new location of a large homeless camp called Right 2 Dream Too.
Tiny House Communities Popping Up to Shelter Homeless
Villages of tiny homes are being prepared in Portland and Denver to help individuals transition out of homelessness
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont