The Homeless Crisis: Portland, Oregon | Mini-Documentary

[@driveman6490]

*Fall of 2018-* abusing alcohol, living under a tarp in the woods near a Community College. *Spring of 2019-* arrested a 3rd time for trespassing. *April 2019-* Introduced to a Sober Living House, got clean and sober, actively worked a 12 step program, started part-time job at gas station. *July 2019-* Took on second job doing landscaping/handyman work. *August 2021-* Became self employed, paid cash for upgrade truck, trailer and additional tools. *June 2022-* Just paid cash for $35k truck, have set aside $25k towards retirement travel trailer, additional money in savings and I have work booked through Fall of this year. Who helped me? I did.

[@HenryBenedictUSA]

That’s very impressive and awesome that you were able to do good for yourself!

[@sonofburma]

Very inspirational! All the best!

[@johnwayne3085]

I pray you will, or continue to accept Jesus and repent for your sins.

[@jasonl3185]

Im in the beaverton area i have experience if you need a helper I'm working for a guy now its aertor work and he's not that busy its kinda of a sometime thing with folks

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Right on brother!

[@VaunShiz]

I think saying "there is more empty houses than homeless people" is such a misguided answer. Let's not lie to ourselves and pretend just giving someone a house solves most of these homeless peoples issues. Some homeless don't even want to live in shelter/villages. This is a mental health/ substance abuse issue above all

[@paulinakong5711]

Don't you remember what happened there on 2019

[@etiennedegaulle3817]

She was adamant about "not following the rules" yet wants someone to donate her a house? You're too kind by saying "misguided."

[@cuttlefish-_-]

The majority of mental health conditions and especially substance abuse are exponentially compounded by stress. The only way to even start trying to fix our country’s mental health problem and substance abuse epidemic is to lower the amount of stress put onto these individuals. In this instance, providing a safe place for them to sleep every night and to just exist without having to worry about where/when they will sleep/eat next is a huge improvement on their overall well-being. If you want to learn more about how high stress environments impact substance abuse, just look up the rat park experiments. Edit: typo

[@nancymosby7369]

Agreed!

[@raystanczak4277]

Ever heard the words “wage gap”? And it’s not just here.

[@flyhead5972]

Lisa Larson says it all. She doesn’t want to live with rules and she wants free housing, add to that mentality drugs, alcohol and mental illness you have all the ingredients for a failed population. Life is responsibility and choices.

[@jamiedavies4545]

Its Jamie Davies I live in the UK will you be my KZbin friend please Ric FUL please mate?

[@cutekoala5492]

Liberal policies makes housing unaffordable

[@cliffanderson7544]

Doesn’t look like a homeless problem, looks like a drug problem. That guy nailed it!!

[@myleshagar9722]

Unhoused is the latest buzz word.

[@anthonyc8248]

If people are going to be homeless at least pick up your own trash and keep your area nice. That would go a long way.

[@bumblebee4280]

And take it where?

[@jumperstartful]

@@bumblebee4280 No where just throw it on the ground, and it will take care of itself! If you want, the government to help meet them halfway. Show them you are serious! If you provide the trash bins we will keep it neat and clean!!

[@commonsense2156]

Young lady with a black mask is exactly the type of person those policies cause this

[@matthewmckinney9348]

truer words have never been spoken

[@Meowmeow11721]

I used to be on the far left side about this and being super compassionate but now I’m kind of sitting on the fence. After extensively talking to the homeless population over the past couple years I’ve learned that mental health is the root of it all for the most part. Many of them end up addicts to cope with mental health problems, past trauma, etc. they just can’t integrate into standard society because they’re far too detached from reality sometimes. A decent chunk choose to be homeless because for many reasons but usually in spite of “the system”. Very few are just standard sober, and mentally well people that just couldn’t keep up with rent, I’ve actually never met a homeless person that fit that criteria. All in all we really need to start with public mental health services.

[@avalondreaming1433]

Amen, the problem is mental illness and substance abuse. We need mental health and substance abuse treatment centers. But alot of the people want to live in their addiction and don't want to take meds.

[@Meowmeow11721]

@@BT-dl8kq yes there are some but it’s the least common I encounter. Usually when they’re in that case they haven’t been isolated or dismissed by their housed friends and family so they’re really just “couch surfing”. Some are sober and stable in tents just struggling to make ends meet though

[@Meowmeow11721]

@Potato Hero cultural change would be nice. In what way, I’m not exactly sure because when American culture was Christian dominant there were certainly a lot of flaws if not more than today. A “Christian” culture in theory is neat but in practice it’s really not and most self proclaimed, baptized, church attending, Christian’s don’t follow the original teachings of Jesus. I’ve met more homeless people that live in a all loving, all forgiving, and generous way than the middle class citizen

[@Meowmeow11721]

@@nobodynever7884 well why do you think people fall into addiction? Mental health problems is almost always the root of addiction. And the number of homeless people in oregon is rising bc we have some of the worst mental health among the common population in the country

[@Meowmeow11721]

@@nobodynever7884 actually you see that a lot, you see that in soldiers with PTSD, you see that with victims of abuse, you see it with people that are schizophrenic, addiction runs with trauma

[@GR-cf4qh]

You've got to help these people, but you also need to hold them accountable for maintaining civilized standards of behavior. When someone blocks the sidewalk, spreads piles of litter or harasses and intimidates passersby they need to be jailed. It's not a crime to be poor, but it is a crime to knowingly possess stolen property, physically threaten people, litter or trespass on private property. You can't just distribute freebies and expect that to solve anything. That will only enable them and make the problem worse.

[@ChrisChristenson88]

100% I look at these encampments and just wonder how/why you just trash the entire area around you. I have seen plenty of areas though that the residents have tents and keep it immaculate.

[@jamiedavies4545]

Its Jamie Davies I live in the UK can you tell me that there's more than billions people all over the world and more than millions people in the UK that love living on their own and love having their own independence and love having their own freedom and love having their own personal space too just the same as me please message me back yes its true please G R my mate.

[@johncbernaysjohnc.bernays1790]

Can you control people that society hates? Your comments shows that you are a Republican Hate Monger. hold them accountable for maintaining civilized standards of behavior. Screw you, people like you are a Fascist Nazi like Adolph Hitler.

[@fredfolson5355]

Gotta love how they all say things like "we're not staying somewhere and have the government tell us what to do" while on the other hand "the government should do something to get people housing."

[@Aaron-ff5km]

Double minded

[@jumperstartful]

If they destroy government housing like they do with what they have, what's the point? They seem to trash up the area they are in and don't care. How does the government change an attitude? like Regan said, "the biggest lie is,"I'm from the government and I'm here to help you." It takes a certain amount of tough love to pull yourself out of a bad situation. It's hard to face the fact that I'm responsible for the problem I'm in and figure out how to pull myself out of it. i had to do it and it wasn't a quick fix.

[@Aaron-ff5km]

@@jumperstartful I see it where I live, In a low income housing building, there are those who don't appreciate what they have, and that's why their apartments are filthy and cluttered and they still use the drugs, five people didn't even make it a year before they were kicked out, and they totally destroyed the nice brand new apartments they were lucky enough to receive, we live in a selfish generation. I am very grateful for my apartment I try to thank the Lord everyday for it, and I don't plan on being here for to long, my goal is to try to get better and better, and to have a job that I enjoy and can save money and eventually probably just buy a motorhome and be content and retire in it one day🙏

[@Yerpompous]

@@Aaron-ff5km you are a stand up guy. I like the way you think. ❤️

[@Aaron-ff5km]

@@Yerpompous I just try to be thankful and to be humble, I'm by far not perfect, all I can do is try to do my best to God and my country, this earth is just my temporary home, I await heaven to be with Jesus and His awesome followers , that's where I really wanna be. God bless you friend and hope to see you there as well👍🙏💯

[@GoodGameOKC1]

I'm here in Portland for a few months and was taken aback the amount of homeless individuals. Very tragic

[@washboardjim]

I went to grade School in Portland. the liberals have really screwed up Portland.

[@jamiedavies4545]

Its Jamie Davies I live in the UK I've always wanted to live in a nice independent apartment in America tell me that's possible please GoodGameOKC my mate and buddy?

[@washboardjim]

@@jamiedavies4545 If you have money almost anything is possible

[@jamiedavies4545]

@@washboardjim Its Jamie Davies will you be my KZbin friend please James Howard & Retail Traders please my mate?

[@jamiedavies4545]

@@washboardjim Its Jamie Davies I live in the UK can you tell me that there's more than billions people all over the world and more than millions people in the UK that love living on their own and love having their own independence and love having their own freedom and love having their own personal space too just the same as me please message me back yes its true please James Howard & Retail Traders my mate and friend.

[@ryang1589]

What I don't understand is there is more job opportunities than ever. Instead all of these homeless people would rather have handouts than working like the rest of us

[@jenniferbass2841]

Giving people a hand out isn't going to help anyone, a hand up is ok, stop using drugs, open mental health facilities, politicians have created this, empty houses are not free for the taking, homeless squatters have probably destroyed any attempt at renting or selling these homes. Very sad

[@ryang1589]

I stopped at a red light the other day in Portland and I watched a homeless guy take a shit on the sidewalk. This is pretty much what happens when you legalize drugs

[@pondmaker]

Lisa and Scott run Dignity Village with a Meth filled Iron fist. Ask her what she's on!

[@a.wanderer5006]

I am shocked every time I go back to the west coast. There are feral drug zombies around every corner. Tents lining the underpasses. Last time was the first time i saw homeless children like not the hotel-to motel shuffle, but straight up on the sidewalk. I moved to Buenos Aires years ago because the cost of living was already getting high in the U.S.. We have a lot less homeless here and shanytowns are permitted. We just have mostly just have a sparse population of classic box o wine type homeless on the sidewalk. And anyone can go to the public hospital at any time to see a doc or shrink, even for inpatient detox, at no cost. Universal medical care is the best start because it makes a huge difference.

[@greatplainsman3662]

All democrat states...hello!

[@johncbernaysjohnc.bernays1790]

I live in San Francisco Yes straight up on the sidewalk because Rich People refuse to think they are Humans. I lived in Tijuana from 2000 to 2004 and Loved it. George W Bush made going in and out required Passport. I was in a Homeless Shelter in Portlans "Bridge view Project" in 1989 and Bought a Vintage Guitar, then I started my life as a Railroad Hobo, I was a Tramp until I turned 62 Years old, 2012 then I quit Hoboing.

[@Floridamanzt]

Let’s give dope fiends with mental issues free houses What’s the worst that can go wrong

[@islandbee]

Portland was such a great city with its food truck movement. Now, it seems so dangerous to even run type of operation in that environment. Same with Seattle. It will take a 180 change in policies to turn these cities around.

[@hingtong5110]

The clusters of the Food Trucks all over the city actually making the whole city look more like a shanty town. Their ugly shapes and graffiti not only ruined the image of the city, but also created stinking sewerage smell, garbage littering all over the place, rendering Portland a 3rd world impression.

[@dflowers1477]

Drugs, stealing and street camping are protected in Portland. Not that Portlanders are asking for it, but we do seem to vote in favor of it. 🤔

[@user-uy3eq5hg1s]

Excellent documentary. Drugs including alcohol are definitely the top factors in this crisis. Many if not most of those sleeping in tents on the streets are addicted to some kind of substance which makes it even more difficult to change their situation. As the lady who runs the homeless camp said, many of those on the streets don't want government help and want to deal with their own lives. Well guess what? When you're sleeping on a public street doing drugs right across from a school you have involved yourself in everyone else's lives too. She aptly pointed out that there are more abandoned homes in this country than there are people without homes. We need to get everyone and I mean everyone in this country a real roof over their head. Once every single person has real shelter, we must make it strictly illegal to do street camping nationwide. No one should be sleeping on a tent on the curb in the richest country on earth, enough is enough.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

It is the nations shame.

[@ratchetflaca8601]

Illegal to camp?? That's gonna just lock up and make these people's lives not difficult

[@JoeOvercoat]

If we don’t solve the addiction first the people will strip out the insides of the homes and sell it to buy whatever they are addicted to.

[@kazkazimierz1742]

I spent a lot of time in Portland in the early 2000s. It is very sad to see what has happened to a pretty cool place. Puts a whole new meaning on the slogan 'Keep Portland weird'.

[@elizavetaegoroff8410]

So sad what became ov it 😢probably will never be the same all ruined..need new leaders

[@terrymckenzie8786]

Yes. It started off a new city lay out and worked great. I think more druggies moved in from outside.

[@jumperstartful]

It's interesting how a bad problem can expand into a worse problem. No one can seem to get a handle on it and it gets out of control. Whose running the city? Are they blind to problems like this?

[@992001jeffr]

Why would people learn to fish when somebody is willing to give them a fish every day.

[@stevencalifornia]

This ^^^

[@IDrNasti]

Atleast half the homeless if not more. Want somthing for nothing and to get high all day while sitting in there pig pen. No point of trying to help someone who doesn't want to help themself. Blows me away the amount of homeless people that look to be in there 20s

[@Floridamanzt]

10:00 as soon as she started talking I knew it was gonna be some dumb ass shit

[@TaxinGigs]

Lol 🤣

[@davidpelto8824]

why does the solution to this "crisis" always involve taking my hard earned wages and using them to allow these people to continue to a life of substance abuse, and not work?

[@ethananime3773]

The problem is that there are 2 many services available. If u reduce those services these demographic will move and scattered I talked to a homeless person and asked how he ended up here he said his friend told him services here are superb for the homeless this person was from California

[@chadkeele6362]

Are you homeless? Take a look at you peers? Do you have a home? A tent is a home for some! Homelessness is a painful life of mental illness in our community that needs help. Portland offers the reason to be homeless, encouraging mental illness as apart of our community like its... it child we are willing to support then forgot. I feel Portland has been brewing this since the 80s. I was born here and this was long time coming for our community with all the backwards thought of California hippy failures!

[@Alexander-rq9he]

No way you were going to follow their rules and guidelines? Some people can’t keep a job because of that way of thinking.. Maybe that’s your problem..

[@thatoneguyis]

Bring back large mental institutions and incarceration for drugs. My two cents, these people need help and we need the systems of old brought back but maybe more politically correct.

[@guccidonbuzzflightyear4440]

Tig Buckius better than them all dying off fentanyl I guess

[@stevencalifornia]

One thing that I’ve noticed is that a lot of homeless people just feel disconnected from society in general. I think we need social services to help reintegrate them back into society.

[@erikhawes5489]

When people stop trying and blame those that do, our society crumbles. I disagree. I believe many people choose to be homeless.

[@quartytypo]

Change the word "Homeless" to "Laying flat."

[@WorldOfWonder66]

The really sad thing is, things are only going to get worse with inflation continuing to rise. It's heart warming to see people helping each other.

[@arlitabeard7693]

A lot of these people don't want help they don't want to change they want to be free to do what they want

[@dannoringer]

The portland voters get what they deserve, but the rest of the nation should not put up with the low standards of the local portland voters. Portland should probably lose it's self governing status, and a federal governor appointed to manage the area for a few decades until the education system can be fixed there so that there are intelligent voters there.

[@washboardjim]

I went to grade school here 1965 era, They had the best Education on the Planet. What happened.? Portland is a disaster. Liberalism I guess

[@dannoringer]

@@washboardjim I'm reading a book about how the schools have been undermined by many factors and influence groups. The book is written by Pete Hegseth, entitled, " battle for the American mind, uprooting a century of miseducation". I'm not done reading the book, but I think he's going to get to the answers by the end of the book.

[@washboardjim]

@@dannoringer Thank you

[@WhiteWolfBlackStar]

As a happy couple, we moved to Portland in 2000, what a beautiful city it was. I left at the end of 2019. He stayed there. It's mind blowing what's happened to Seattle and Portland. What a shame! I'm really glad Dignity Village exists. The politicians need to focus on REAL problems, instead of allowing all chaos. Part of the problem is PERMITS, "petty officials" found a way to FEE everything to death to hold up/ halt progress to line their own pockets. Another is badly managed assets, from money to properties, very badly managed. I really hope Dignity Village holds strong. Even if it only helps a few people, IT HAS HELPED SHELTER A FEW PEOPLE! I used to hire 'outdoor people' whenever I could. I knew I couldn't save them all, but I'm glad I was able to make a difference, for awhile, in a few lives. I'm forever grateful for that opportunity.

[@dianecrofoot7955]

No shame to be poor….but being dirty & filthy, no excuse!

[@Brian_Friesen]

A big challenge to addressing the problem of homelessness is that it manifests itself as a resource problem, but has several other root problems, and city managers try to fix it by throwing resources at it. Substance abuse, unstable mental health, physical disability, lack of skill, lack of wisdom to manage what resources are available, these are the root causes. Substance abuse is probably the most dominant of the causes. It’s no surprise that as Portland and other cities have softened on drug possession and use that the homeless problem has grown.

[@user-uy3eq5hg1s]

All valid points and homelessness has quickly become a full blown crisis nationwide. I actually believe the government could help deliver results, here's how: reward private companies for creating tiny home/modular home/homeless shelter communities across the country. When companies can make lots of money, suddenly a lot of energy is created. Profit motive can sometimes generate the desired results. Also, I think private companies will need to help for such a large scale crisis to really address the issue anyway. I think we need to get a lot of private companies involved in the effort to get everyone off the streets, then make it strictly illegal to do street camping. Even the most stubborn who don't want any help or the most mentally ill will legally need to leave the streets for a real place to live. Whether they think they like it or not, their lives will be better and healthier with a real place to live.

[@ericestrada9156]

Keep your words warm and soft, because you eventually gunna need to smoke them.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

The biggest question is whyyyyyy so much substance abuse.

[@PeaceLoveAndHarmny]

This is so painful to see. Our beautiful city in ruins because we have let our leaders love of money supercede the care of it's inhabitants. Most of these people suffer from drug additction and there is no option for treatment. Mental health facilities aren't available anymore here in Oregon. Abuse / neglect ran rampant. This is not what America was supposed to be. Instead of land of the free, we have become a nation of slave's to our government. How can this ever be fixed without everything being torn down and built back up in a way that is in keeping with what our founding father's and first nation's people coming together to make this a fair and equitable nation? What have we become? Children shooting other children is a pretty stark indicator that NOTHING is right. Our kids are being raised by daycare and video games which have no moral compass in which to teach them what is important. This is so much bigger than "Democrat vs Republican". Not to even mention what we're doing to this planet. L💗ve is the only answer I can even begin to offer as an answer. If we could just consider love when tackling each issue we come across, I'm confident that we could start to change the collision course trajectory we are on. ✌🏼, ❤️, & ☯️ to you all. May you know it, feel it, and pass it around each and every chance you get.

[@xSirDudex]

I leaned into homelessness and went vanlife in July 2021. It was one of the smartest decisions I ever made. My bank account rose by 7 g's this first year. It's been so nice not paying rent and utilities. I may never go back.

[@J.I.0]

I wouldn't call that "homelessness", you're just houseless. You made a conscious decision to alter your living situation for financial benefit. Good on ya.

[@larrypriser6413]

As she herself explained, the Democrat policies that are created to supposedly help people from becoming homeless actually sets people up for failure and they will eventually become homeless because they were following those policies, point being, while their intentions are good, they seldom think through the ramifications of what those policies do in the long term!

[@repetemyname842]

"Ive got a disability, but its not physical..." Yeah, its called "Not Wanting To Go To Work" which shouldnt provide you with jack shit from the taxpayers. Many of us would rather sit about all day and enabling these fools to do so isnt going to help a single thing.

[@Naturefan354]

I heard he died shortly after this documentary was made. So I'm willing to bet he was probably telling the truth and the problem he had was testicular pain so that must have been his underlying disability.

[@fridayray8891]

wait a minute....How long was dignity village suppose to be there????

[@992001jeffr]

People don’t choose to be homeless, they choose not to get a job. There’s been times when jobs weren’t available. That’s not the case in 2022.

[@greatplainsman3662]

If you don't have a job now ...you don't t want one. I'm sorry, but it's hard to give a sh!t about people who don't give a sh!t.

[@alanwilson2073]

I don't buy the high rents blame game narrative because you could literally GIVE AWAY free housing and there'd still be this homeless problem.

[@rdbeaz]

Remember Oregon is a libearl state and Portland is Liberal ciry they own this. NO Tents in Idaho

[@Hayri2011]

Because they'd freeze to death. They're homeless, not stupid

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

There are tents everywhere, you just don't see them!

[@melissaneuenfeldt5509]

I have been working in homeless services for the better part of a decade. This is the most succinct yet comprehensive view of homelessness in this country I have seen. Well done. While your focus was Portland, affordable housing and a fragmented social service system is a national problem. A presenter in a training I attended recently said, "Homelessness is the end result of EVERY social problem." Much of the substance use problems we see among people on the streets, I would like to add, are not the cause but rather the result of the situation of homelessness: poverty, inflation, unaffordable health care, decreasing access to mental health services, and a generally more harsh national culture generating constantly increasing psychosocial trauma. This is a complex topic, and the solution is similarly not going to be simple. It really is going to take all of us or most of us to keep our neighbors from dying on the streets, and until the majority of us understand this, things are going to continue to get worse in every community. I deeply appreciate you presenting this balanced report. As someone who considers herself well informed on this topic, I learned from what you've shared. I hope others do, as well.

[@HenryBenedictUSA]

Thank you for the comment Melissa! I’m glad that you felt the video took a balanced approach to the issue. We only had a week to film at the time and tried to interview as many people as possible 😅

[@stevenm732]

Very well said and very accurate.

[@justiceknight1399]

No one thing causes homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, lose of hope. Homeless village isn't the answer, homeless village should be a short term solution.

[@mandy648]

My only struggle with this is, these "Villages" are built using my money. Higher taxes to build these "Villages" are eating away at my hard earned money that is already dwindling because of inflation and other rising taxes.

[@melissazuccaro9119]

Well put together. I will definitely be sharing this.

[@HenryBenedictUSA]

Awesome, thank you!

[@MrEGOMACHINE]

Clean the streets like after mardigras. Water truck, garbage truck, street sweepers and then cops.

[@sahandn9]

Great video! It's absolutely depressing and sad to see the decline of the city I once loved and was so proud of...

[@karlabritfeld7104]

I got out. Never going back.

[@daltongregory6805]

I lived in Portland in the 50s snd 60s. It was a beautiful city . . . Now destroyed !!!!!

[@bambinaforever1402]

Go to LA or San Francisco. U will be stunned. They are all hostile mental patients. Scary

[@Floridamanzt]

9:00 dude trying to get social security get a Fkn job dude

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Why is this so pervasive on the west coast? I moved from Portland to the east coast in 2017 and we see nothing like this in Virginia. Nothing!!

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Bleeding heat liberals.

[@guccidonbuzzflightyear4440]

It’s because of the laws and benefits the bums get

[@peterwelby]

they don't allow it.

[@kchris5326]

A good start to the homeless showing they want to integrate back into society, would be to stop dumping garbage everywhere. There is a camp across the street from my work, the city supplied a tax paid dumpster. Yet they still just dump their garbage everywhere. Its hard to give a crap about people who don’t care about themselves.

[@sweetpeasandyarrowaranchdi8327]

Right now it's a mental health and drug issue. With rising inflation, we are going to see an actual homeless problem. I hope there will be enough food to keep supporting these people.

[@indiopeltier9758]

uh what are u talking about 🤣.U obviously don't know what your talking about.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Going to? It's already happened.

[@ericaeidummckellips7725]

Not everyone who is homeless is a drug addict or mentil health issues sometimes its the cost of living is to expensive and they cant find a place to go.

[@sonofburma]

I have always been so sympathetic and passionate about homeless issue. In fact, I am a big fan of Mark Horvath. But I cannot put up with the attitude of that “village VP”. People like her is the problem and roadblock to any potential progress. How could you negotiate such situation when you, yourself, don’t realize that you are in no shape or form of any influence or power, yet trying to pretend that you have an upper hand? Keeping the caseworkers away? Freeloading and no contribution back to the society? Such delusional thoughts will lead to nowhere...

[@WhiteWolfBlackStar]

Thank you Henry and Joseph for making this documentary. I think it's very important to document this issue right now. You've done a great job, of just documenting people, no judgement, let's hear everybody out. A great topic, and a whole buffet of people. Very nice. I used to make films like this in the 90's. Very fascinating.

[@jaysteven8135]

It’s disgusting how homeless get to sit on the sidewalk and pee and leave needles on the sidewalk and ruin it for the other people who are not homeless

[@p38shocker]

How is it someone can walk a 1000 miles cross a border, find a job and a place to live but an American can’t?

[@lisagilbert8497]

Living here in Portland and working full time plus , my rent is over half my paycheck for a studio apartment. My taxes are around $800.00 per paycheck . I make good money , I’m living as frugality as possible. I would love a house but I don’t have half a million for one bedroom home

[@michaelvandyke6715]

Time to pull out and move away!

[@Hayri2011]

Absolutely. I'm going to have to leave the state to buy the home I want.

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Don't worry. The market is about to completely collapse.

[@jordansuchy3107]

I have lived in all parts of Portland for the last 32 years. The issue is people on our streets that are homeless, aren’t from here. Use our services too there advantage. Food stamps, good water and free Camping. Sounds like a slumber party on the government. Then I get too pick up the trash infront of my home from all the people in cars who sleep at night. People are not green here anymore for the most part. That was a ploy too get you here. Welcome.

[@troyduncan1969]

In all honesty, landlords received the "royal shaft" with the Covid rent payment restrictions. Most landlords are individuals who have less then six units and often times only one or two. They still had to pay all the expenses associated with owning the rental units with zero rental income. For the renters that blew off paying their rent and now complain about eviction - zero sympathy as they basically stole from these landlords for over one year.

[@troyduncan1969]

The other interesting factor is that so many homeless people what free room & board but without any rules/restrictions. Beggars cannot be choosers....

[@andrewmurray9391]

It was called "The Opium Wars" 180 years before you burned down the library.

[@dannoringer]

Lotta BS coming out of the mouths of some of these people interviewed.

[@fredschatz6052]

Can't help those who don't want help. Drug and mental illness is the true problem.

[@ggill1530]

I have helped and talked to many homeless folks over years Around 50 to 60 percent had unfortunate events and at the same time a large number is there by their own choice Some have mentioned they like the stress free lifestyle A lot of them spend the money they receive within the first 2-3 days on wrong things rather than food clothing items Not everyone is willing to speak and it takes time to gain their trust I have helped so many with clothing food etc but now I have given up A lot of them don’t want to even try improving their lives I even let a few sleep at the building after convincing our owner They started urinating pooping outside especially when they were intoxicated etc Without these guys willing to get out of this misery, most of my efforts failed

[@kenigma4303]

People don’t seem to grasp how multifaceted the problems with Capitalism (private property, commodity culture, not paying a living wage, monopolies…), our attitude towards drugs or mental healthcare (war on drugs, not federally legal or decriminalized, safe injection or testing sites, government sanctioned free dug rehabilitation programs, assistance to mental health), housing and rent (empty homes, not making affordable housing, rent not keeping pace with minimum wage or inflation) or local and federal governance (voting for people who actually will fight for these issues and allocate money to fixing them) are. Whats messed up, even though this was very wordy, I’m sure I left a bunch out

[@montydailypress8124]

Thank you! You're absolutely correct. There are just too many people making sweeping statements that are harmful and promote survivorship bias

[@cutekoala5492]

Drugs are banned in china and they don't have a drug problem

[@esterrios3998]

This woman actually believes she has the better solution!

[@CaseyLouis]

She does. Homeless won’t go to shelters.

[@donmilo4733]

The problem is the politicians Congress the Senate Wall Street I keep on printing money everything goes up and up and up rents food you can’t create money out of thin air they keep on kicking the can down the road so now we have inflation now we have people in the streets because of our government

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Ding Ding Ding! END THE FED!

[@jerryf6983]

"Nobody chooses to live in the cold on the street" I know a guy who worked for GM making $800+ per week after taxes. He was homeless bc he loved his drugs and alcohol more than he loved a roof over his head. Would not pay his bills but made sure he had smokes, drugs and alcohol. He made the choice

[@normanjones636]

I don’t feel bad for them at all they voted that garbage into office and they’re getting what they deserve

[@lisahertel2415]

You’re supposed to pay your rent. The plandemic didn’t do that. These people not paying rent did. It’s not the taxpayers and wealthys responsibility

[@scowley86]

6:48 “Absolutely no responsibility..” “It’s really sad, and it doesn’t have to be like that”. I agree, it doesn’t have to be like that. How bout some basic trash pickup services ffs? I know housing seems like a far flung idea, so maybe we can start with some trash pickup? Am I just a dreamer?

[@larryb3332]

That would just raise property taxes on those already working and paying their way in society. Granted, any solution to this growing crisis is going to cost the taxpayer, that's inevitable, be it housing, mental health/drug rehab facilities or incarceration. The first step to change is your voting booth. Until that happens, nothing will change.

[@jnolette1030]

Out of 50 homeless people 45 are hooked on hard drugs. That's the biggest hurdle by far

[@joshbateman2043]

Great job with the video and interviews it was interesting and it’s a very serious problem in all US cities which impacts everyone which is sad too!!

[@Floridamanzt]

Around 6:20 naïve lady can’t even keep it real and say it’s drugs bro Druuugggggsss

[@robertgarvansnyder4665]

Pretty good survey of all the positions related to this heartbreaking issue. The one bit of nuance that I think was left out is the rapid rise in new formuations of meth, which are far more likely to cause psychotic symptoms in individuals who otherwise don't experience psychosis. It's really good to hear that someone living in a self-governing village things that model is working. This seems like the most realistic path forward, and one there's probably the most policital will for (excepting the neighbors of such a proposed village.)

[@robertgarvansnyder4665]

@Potato Hero I'm so sorry to hear that's such a struggle in your neighborhood. What part of town are you in?

[@Skunkhunt_42]

Great video, great example. The issue is multifaceted, which makes resource allocation and program design very difficult. Not all in this situation have the same needs and desires. I still don't belive I know all about our local situation and I'm actively in the streets and camps in SE PDX

[@mikefinley4367]

It's a liberal problem,period.

[@ramblinrobs47]

Pick a city along the I-5 drug pipeline. They all have significant homeless problems. And it's a little warmer on the western side of the Cascades.

[@islandbee]

The homeless problem up in Bellingham is growing too. Blaine, up on the Canadian border doesn't seem bad though. But, could potentially be a problem down the road.

[@ponderinglife7528]

i feel so bad for the homeless, few are innocent though. Most are paying the price of bad decisions and laying in the bed they made by themselves, for themselves…They need basics to give hand up, laundry, shower ect services…politicians always set money aside for the homeless but it is always a politician slush fund…people are exhausted providing for themselves! They dont see the homeless doing anything for the most part so why would a person sacrifice what they work so hard for to just give away to people they dont know…people who work are taxed to death….YES! the homeless should be treated with respect! best to all, imlike those mini homes…very nice!

[@revekat2053]

Where’s the money for all of these solutions going to come from? The only way we’re going to ever come close to fixing this is to be completely honest about everything.

[@greatplainsman3662]

How about start voting red. Blue hasn't worked has it?

[@1Hogman1zz]

Ahhhhh nervana finally achieved……well done liberals…..well done!

[@daveboracay2132]

The biggest mistake people make when they try to solve the homeless problem is thinking their is a solution. There is isn't. When you put down the welcome mat and provide free food and services to homeless people, you shouldn't be surprised that more and more will come and stay in your city. Once they are there, they're not leaving and there is nothing you can do about it. No amount of compassion or money will get rid of the problem.

[@kiphodge1831]

Great doc, I subscribed

[@etiennedegaulle3817]

Blathering about terminology is going the wrong direction. Next time drag your cameras and film in front of the Plaid Pantry on SW 11th and Jefferson. If you are even able to film without getting attacked you'll see first hand the drug addiction / mental illness aspects of HOMELESSNESS within the first 15 minutes.

[@jazminestryder]

I don't see Portland Metro coming back either to be honest. It will be a good decade or more before Portland can be rebuilt to be better to be honest. Everyone is moving out of metro, and into suburbs. The metro area will become a giant tourist area and no one actually living in the metro.

[@highbrass3749]

The crazies changed the term “homeless” to “unhoused” to shift the blame from the individual to everyone else. The individual doing the drugs is the person responsible.

[@stevencalifornia]

Yup - homelessness is an individual problem even though people just want to address it with broad public policies

[@rdkuless]

What may help the way people view this situation, is for the city of Portland to put garbage bins for these unfortunate people to dispose of their trash... if the trash didn't stack up around these mobile homes and tents, it might help the way other people view this. It is hard for a person to have compassion for someone who doesn't attempt to clean up around themselves. If you want people to care about you, you have to care about yourself.. Only a mother can care when her child is a mess.. And because we are not their mothers, it is beyond our reach.

[@RyanRuark]

My taxes are already paying for their trash removal. Force them into detox, in jail. Enough is enough.

[@benjamindover7399]

Drugs and alcohol. I know 2 men who where homeless, broke, and broken. They stopped drinking and within 2 years they had cars, homes, savings, and families. Unfortunately, I've known many more who couldn't stop drinking and they are still homeless or dead.

[@vg4472]

First there was "Obamaville" and after Trump took office that went away and now we have "Joeville"

[@corissaholbrook4017]

I had to stop helping because homeless take too much advantage as well

[@lilbutterball14]

Portland has the unique ability to give a thru the looking glass view..to anyone watching or even just paying a little attention. We are now living in the truly greedy and truly needy times. It is reflecting and projecting what is happening and what people are experiencing all over the world. My favorite clip was when the beautiful soul who had black face mask and coffee cup said...' I think we need to look at this as problems that need solutions rather than something we need to get rid of' Blessings to all experiencing houselessness and hopelessness on our Portland streets. And if you have anything to spare that might make someones day a lil less heartbreaking, then please do. 💔

[@RICKRATT1]

The USA has a mental healthcare crisis that is all but ignored. We need more resources devoted to treating mental illness and addictions. That said, you can't make people be responsible by enabling them and feeding their addictions.

[@yovogo]

People should be talking about late stage capitalism and techno feudalism. It's not going to get better. It will never get better until we stop believing that a duopoly, serving the same masters, will develop a solution to help the masses.

[@whiskeymonk4085]

End the Fed. Have a 10% flat tax and do away with all others. Only property owners should be able to vote. It used to be that way and we had a good society. Let's go back to what we know works.

[@malbeezy87]

Great job with the video and interviews!

[@MRblazedBEANS]

Sorry honey a shit ton of people do choose to live on the street they aren't capable to live inside a building.

[@navarreteknives2384]

There are several reasons why the homeless situation is happening and we are trying very hard to find the silver bullet but is not going to happen because it requires several silver bullets. Alcohol, drugs, broken families, high rents and covid. There is at least 5 issues that each one of them require a silver bullet. The question is, who is in charge of fixing each one of those issues. Let's us take alcohol. First, you cannot just grab someone and him to a center to get sober, why? because he has rights to refuse help. Ok so what do we do with people who refuses to sober up? Same thing with drugs. We can continue enforcing the law and put people in jail for being on drugs but do you expect them to get help in jail? do you think jail is equipped to help someone get off alcohol or/and drugs? NOPE! Once he/she gets out most likely will go back to the same thing and the cycle starts again. I don't think this is the type of issue you can fix with money. It is so hard to fix this and it seems to just get worse every week.

[@richardshufflebottom4011]

Thanks for sharing

[@EmmaElaineN]

There is more than one thing that needs to be done, but one of them is include the obscenely rich pay for their share of the social problems they have created. Honest and fair rents, paying their fair of their taxes, paying living wages... Realize that the problems caused by their oppression is not just casued by the poor or middle class.

[@KC-dr3cg]

If you're thinking that the obscenely rich people have caused this please explain why there are millions of people who do not live in tents

[@diannh2894]

Great mini doc!