A recent development in this crisis is the construction of makeshift "tiny homes" by the homeless population, using materials such as wood and plywood. These structures, scattered across the city streets, bear a striking resemblance to habitable dwellings.
Oregon resident Kevin Dahlgren, who has been chronicling Portland's homeless crisis, captured video footage of these wooden structures. Dahlgren noted that while some of these makeshift homes are utilized for recreational activities, others serve as hubs for drug use and prostitution.
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"I'm finding tiny homes built by the homeless popping up on nearly every block in some neighborhoods. This one is quite nice and even has a basketball hoop. Another (one) I saw today though was used for prostitution and another for drugs," Dahlgren stated.
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The city, governed by Democrats, has been grappling with a surge in homelessness over the past few years. This has led to an exodus of residents from the downtown area, seeking to avoid the rampant drug use and potential victimization by homeless individuals with a history of violence.
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In October 2022, former Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler labeled the city's homeless encampments a "humanitarian catastrophe." Under his leadership, over 700 homeless encampments, rife with violent crime and drug use, proliferated.
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The crisis was further exacerbated when Oregon legalized hard drugs in November 2020. This decision, which significantly worsened the problem, led the state to re-criminalize the possession of hard drugs in the subsequent legislative session.
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However, the city's stance against the police, which intensified following the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, has hampered law enforcement's ability to address the crisis. Lawmakers have passed laws that restrict police action, often under the progressive banner of "compassion" for the "less fortunate."
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Despite the allocation of over $1 billion in taxpayer funds to address the homeless crisis over the past few years, the situation continues to deteriorate.
Social media users have raised questions about the construction of these tiny homes, including whether the homeless individuals are required to obtain permits, as is the case for the rest of Portland's population. There is also curiosity about the source of the construction materials.
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"Surely, they are paying thousands of dollars for permits. Good on them," one individual commented. Another added, "Where are they getting all of the wood? I wonder if it's from pallets? It looks too nice to be from pallets, and it's costing so much right now. It seems strange that a homeless person can find the wood to build a home & many people can't afford wood for small projects."
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