MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — Since last July, more than 6,500 tents and more than 24,000 tarps have been handed out to people living on the streets in Multnomah County. Some local leaders argue it's a humane way to respond to the homeless crisis, while others believe the money spent on these harm-reduction supplies should instead go to opening more shelters.
On Wednesday morning inside city council chambers, attorney John DiLorenzo revealed what some are calling alarming new data.
DiLorenzo is the attorney behind the 2022 lawsuit against the city of Portland, which claimed the tents block ADA access on public sidewalks. As part of the settlement deal reached last spring, the city agreed to prioritize removing campsites obstructing sidewalks and to track that progress. The city also agreed to not distribute tents except in limited circumstances, such as at severe weather shelters or to replace property damaged during a camp removal.
During Wednesday morning’s testimony at city council, DiLorenzo gave an update on that work and the findings of a public records request his team recently received.
