Results for: Ted Wheeler

Portland City Council members are considering two competing plans that would govern enforcement of homeless camps on city property. Mayor Ted Wheeler’s proposal would empower the city to arrest people for illegal camping on public property, but only if shelter is available and the person refuses to accept it. Commissioner Rene Gonzalez’s counterproposal would ban camps on all public property regardless of shelter availability and give the mayor unilateral authority to change how the camping ban is enforced.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has unveiled a revised camping ban ordinance, seeking to address legal challenges and the ongoing homelessness crisis. The new ordinance includes provisions for $100 fines or jail time for homeless individuals refusing shelter offers, but only if available shelter space is provided. Wheeler’s plan faces competition from Commissioner Rene Gonzalez’s proposal, which would concentrate policymaking power under the mayor. Both ordinances will be discussed by the city council on Wednesday, amidst concerns about chronic shelter shortages and the potential impact of a Supreme Court ruling on camping bans.