Portland's Organized Homeless Camps Will Take More Than 30 People From Springwater Corridor

In advance of the Sept. 1 sweeps, the mayor's office estimates there are still 250 people on the trail.

By Rachel Monahan

Portland's organized homeless camps are offering to take in more than 30 "refugees" from the Springwater Corridor.

Mayor Charlie Hales announced plans in July to clear what was among the largest homeless camps in the country. The sweep is slated for Sept. 1.

Of the estimated 250 people still living along the bike trail and nature area, Right 2 Dream Too has space for 10 veterans, disabled or elderly people or pregnant women.

Forgotten Realms in North Portland will take 10 tents. Hazelnut Grove, also in North Portland, will take five people. Dignity Village, near the airport, will take four people.

"The four organized villages are an example of what works in Portland right now," says Vahid Brown, a housing advocate with the Village Coalition, an organization of the four villages, outreach organizations and others.

"They're led by houseless people finding shelter solutions for themselves. They've stepped up to take more than 30 people into their villages as refugees in the near term."

The mayor's office estimates that there were 250 people as of Aug. 18 along the Springwater Corridor.

Clarification: This post has been updated to reflect that Forgotten Realms moved locations.

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