The Homeless Problem in Portland, Oregon May NEVER End

[@NickJohnson]

Here's my entire Oregon playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yoD5vpwMzdM288WL1VwbMLB

[@yamhillneighborhoodallianc1855]

This is horrible. Thank you for sharing. We have a video on our page about the politician that voted to make this all legal. She is now trying to leave the state and become a Congresswoman in D.C. so she can cause even more damage.

[@mistyhollars8692]

Lord help us all. 🤦‍♀️

[@LNLA]

These folks are out of touch with the ordinary people who live and work in Portland. They live in rarified air which affects their brain.

[@shanelewis617]

THEY are not going to fix THE HOMELESS PROBLEM! BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO GET PAID TO FIX IT WOULD STOP RECEIVING THE MONEY TO FIX IT AFTER THEY FIXED IT! THEY WON'T FIX IT OUT OF JOB SECURITY!

[@SunnyIlha]

You have summed up starkly how many the ways there exists dishonesty, criminality, and unaccountability in the U.S. (Incidentally, I reply in comment as a U.S. born Citizen and taxpaying working).

[@willybones3890]

That city has lost control. Absolutely ridiculous. The leadership should be charged criminally.

[@JM-md4ri]

I don’t think they’re worried about job security. There will always be homeless people with drug problems. I think the problem is the people who get paid to do something don’t get paid enough to actually make a difference. Social work and drug/alcohol counseling is not a high paying line of work and these people have major psychological issues. The people who are trying to fix this are not highly skilled doctors.

[@ricardoxavier827]

As while USA dont accept to construct public housing without profit, to in that way compete against the private sector, the homeless problem will never decrease, because greed rules capitalism until everyone becomes homeless.

[@timbusby7928]

Have TISSUES will TRAVEL

[@danielleimone1768]

I'd love to see an audit of where those millions of dollars actually went.

[@ewanfraser]

I bet someone’s “friend” gets a contract to clean up a site for $20000 (as quoted in the video). Then the job is done for a fraction of the cost and the rest is gravy. Kick back a cut and onto the next contract. Oh let’s build a new shelter for…oh say $100 million. $10 million for a cold building with some foam mattresses and $90 million for us.

[@danielleimone1768]

@@ewanfraser that's pretty much how government money for the homeless gets spent in every major city. Louis Rossman did a really good video on how it's pissed away in NYC with some photos showing how bad the shelter actually is.

[@artcook1976]

Simple in the pockets of the politian pockets 💯 should not take a rocket scientist to figure this out

[@dennisgolden7596]

It went to tents and tarps

[@danielleimone1768]

@@dennisgolden7596 tents and tarps aren't anywhere near that expensive

[@myfoodishere]

the real question is where all the money went. it doesnt cost 200 million to house homeless people. either the leadership is grossly incompetent and incapable of handling the situation, in which case they need to be removed, or they are pocketing the money.

[@MrKim-kv2vv]

My vote is they’re pocketing the money, liberal politicians don’t believe in “capitalism” so this is their was of getting wealthy.

[@bobersonRC]

It goes in contractors pockets, There was a guy that started a company to provide homeless services to east coast cities. He's now a multi millionaire. It's the same as all our corrupt systems. If your willing to profit off misery, then the money goes to contractors and little bits "trickle down" to the homeless.

[@TriNguyen-ug1qv]

@@bobersonRC Those contractors were the backdoors of Democrat politicians, is that what you want to say ?

[@SpaceRanger187]

of course they are pocketing the money..It happens every where.. i live in a small town and 20 mil went missing and they auited themselves and found no wrong doing.lol..its all bs and a scam. You would think people would be getting smarter an waking up to all the bs..but no..i think people like being sheep..they like struggling gives them something to bitch about

[@KALMA26]

The government is running a side business called “non profit organizations” that get funds from the government, so they can’t fix the problem because they would kill their side income.

[@cleanandpristine]

If you keep rewarding and allowing homeless to do whatever they want it will continue to get worse. Its literally common sence.

[@k3th.b.w122]

The leaders are ideologically possessed.

[@anubis8181]

@@Lildizzle420 Pretty sure countries like China etc don't give a shit about international law.

[@carsilk2492]

I gotta be that guy... common "sense"

[@qjtvaddict]

@@Lildizzle420 tents don’t count

[@qjtvaddict]

@John vanlorry lock them up

[@ic_clearly]

What?.... with that kind of money , they could have built a small town for the homeless.. If city hall needed some minor remodeling, they'd be on it immediately . City officials filling the're pockets.

[@junedimond1693]

Exactly! I was thinking the same thing while watching video. They can build low income housing and even some drug treatment centers with housing.

[@vickiladu6755]

Yes, EXACTLY!!!! It makes me so sick.

[@SunnyIlha]

Not 20, not 50, not 100, not 100 and another 50, not TWO HUNDRED, Not 200 AND *ANOTHER* *25* million, No; it's TWO HUNDRED *86* million dollars. This is moving upwards towards to HALF a *Billion* dollars. *Where* did all this money go?

[@tommygunn7745]

thats generally a direct reason or indirect reason most get into any govt elected,or appointed office. Mo money. As one sifts down the ladder of gub ment jobs most are at least good security

[@dowen1511]

Is what needs to happen is that money spent on homeless needs to be very public information on where and how it is spent . paying pepole to look at papers and shuffle around information about the problem in an office building . 70 grand spent on each person that's homeless is bull s. They could strait up give these pepole 25 grand a year in cash and they could afford a studio apt . these cities and employees are making money off of the homeless issue so they actually don't want it go away .

[@anubis8181]

That might only work on the people that want to get off the streets but for the rest it's all going to drugs.

[@piotrcurious1131]

Audits. No corporation survives without audits. Sometimes two or three independent auditors peek into every corner of production hall, browse thru accountants desks , and can even surprise CEO in his toilet, to which he just answers "hello guys, what information do my investors need on this situation". Too big programs, created in ivory towers of corruption, without auditing or transparency and half of the planet laughing from your collapse is result. Why only after problem got so big no carpet can cover it anymore, handful of private youtubers dive into it? Is money thrown into pockets of drug dealers stinking any less than of those spent by pop stars? It already looks like it is way to late to "fix" it. It's like toppling skyscraper built on sand.

[@SunnyIlha]

Absolutely.

[@steveu235]

You nailed it people are getting rich on the problem

[@sweetdrahthaar7951]

Just one more example of horrible corruption in our government. Federal state county city. When somebody decides to get into politics lots of the time it’s to get rich and it’s obvious that it’s easily done. Stealing the money from legitimate programs, and all kinds of under the table money is available. I’m about to talk myself into running for office.

[@thepacificnorthwitch]

As someone who has been super close to homeless before, Oregon is too expensive. Housing here is ridiculously hard to find within driving distance to your work. But the drug problem is also super bad, no one can deny that. It's sad to see people struggle like this, but I also understand that people Are afraid because of the crime alot of them bring. Such a tough situation.

[@catmandoo4u1]

Don"t worry the housing market is going to crash.

[@USMCMOM77]

Oregon native who experienced homelessness as a child/teen due to adult disdain for work and zero motivation to better themselves. I can tell you just like welfare epidemic it is 99% mindset! I decided I didn't ever want that and set my mind to graduate HS, then college and have been gainfully employed all of my adult life. No financial help from government or family it was pure grit and determination. if you want it make it happen!

[@eq1159]

Thats true but thats not always true its not 99 percent mindset its 50/ 50 Truth is there is no objective true but your right an im right

[@timsteinkamp2245]

@@Desaree1 Maybe quit teaching hopelessness and we need pharmaceuticals then make the most popular plants illegal. Our body was not supplied with everything it needs. We hurt ourselves and need opioids so learn to respect them. Don't think they will cure us. Maybe teach that we can either govern ourselves or be governed and maybe teach that there is more to this world than we came from monkeys. We have developed the planet do we have to now work to develop Mars? Can't we relax for awhile and stop this 40 hour work week? Is it always go, go. go?

[@Jesse-hx3kn]

Me 2

[@whygohome172]

I have done the same, even though my dad was and IS an abuser. I have my own business.

[@jasonbennett5914]

Absolutely! We’ll said

[@thegoldstandard55]

The homeless industrial complex getting richer and richer as the homeless population grows.

[@KALMA26]

Same with the drug addiction industrial complex.

[@thegoldstandard55]

@@Lildizzle420 In Seattle, San Francisco, Portland and Los Angeles they have thrown more and more money at the problem and the population keeps growing and growing. At the same time lots of people and companies are getting rich supposedly helping them. So the solution is to spend more and more money and watch the population grow and grow.

[@asullivan4047]

Exactly-!!!😉. I should have been a crooked city council " Alderman "-!!!😳.

[@tinameyers3064]

It’s insane how much money is thrown at this issue and yet it’s getting worse. How is that even possible?!

[@kennyc388]

How much money has been thrown at the blacks since LBJ opened the flood gates ?

[@Dockernan1977]

You can think the far left and Democratic ideology of throwing money at problems that literally hasn’t ever worked for any problem. Education, drugs, crime etc. Never has throwing money at any of these problems worked yet they keep doing it. It’s like the lefts obsession with socialism; it is the most failed system in the history of governance and yet here they are trying to get America to try it. Bunch of morons

[@asullivan4047]

It's called " Embezzlement " of city/county/state allocated funds-!!!😉. I should have been a crooked " Alderman "-!!!🤗.

[@vtech920]

No one can afford to live in big cities nowadays. The cost of living is unaffordable, unless you are upper middle class. Cities are also where all the Jobs are.

[@joekoz3815]

My daughter recently returned from Portland. She said a man was demanding money outside the hotel door. That could be troubling if you are not "used to it". She currently lives in Chicago. No one should ever get used to it. It is not normal in Indianapolis yet.

[@MrBearcatjew]

Oh no poor people confronted me!!!

[@22lyric]

@@MrBearcatjew a LOT of those "poor people" consider living on the street an adventure, a challenge. One big party. And don't WANT to be off the street!

[@Frank78507]

Currently going to work and gonna live on a hotel should be fun let's see what kind of people we meet

[@joekoz3815]

@@MrBearcatjew They do not confront me. They can sense it will not go well for them. They need easy targets like you.

[@LarryLopez91]

Yeah, you guys in Indianapolis are just used to a much higher murder rate. Higher than Chicago even.

[@TheSpoovy]

We seem to have forgotten about tough love. Anyone with kids or even a dog knowswhat that is and why it's necessary. There's a small percentage of people (which is a country of 300million is a lot of people!) that really need tough love. A bottomless pit of sympathy and free stuff does not help them.

[@la3615]

Correct my friend.

[@chadmulligan5629]

Yet people with money are held in high regard and worshipped no matter how they accumulated that wealth.

[@garyball1587]

authorities in Portland Oregon actually really steal sensitive for these people I just want to know what is the problem with Portland Oregon or other city for the West or Central United States why you can't take care of your own people in a better way

[@garyball1587]

Well rich people really don't care about the poor people you know they'd rather get a Karmann Ghia or a fancy house

[@garyball1587]

A comedy I said what else could they possibly get as more expensive than it takes to take care of your own people

[@JM-md4ri]

This is what happens when your city slogan is “keep Portland weird!” Don’t be surprised when the real weirdos show up.

[@Cooz.]

That died in about 2008, this has been a problem since 2016

[@DashBorad_P]

So what about Austin then? Cause they have the same slogan

[@okboomer1340]

@@DashBorad_P I think it's just a kind of catch all marxist slogan. You know, kinda like a secret handshake.

[@williegandmidnightersg8166]

That's a good one! The weirdos already showed up...

[@JM-md4ri]

@@DashBorad_P Austin is on its way! Weirder every year! Difference is Austin is in a highly republican state. Oregon has been widely supportive of weird policies for a long time so Portland got “supportive” energy

[@Tazerface999]

I’ve lived here in downtown Portland since 2006 and have been working full time in the bar industry this whole time. The answer to the homeless problem in this city has to do with its laws.. change the laws change the problem.. It’s unfortunately that simple.

[@catface3473]

Nobody is enforcing current laws...shall I continue ?

[@lococholo2857]

1997 I visited Portland specifically the Portland State University area and I remember how beautiful the city was and how nice the people were...

[@mshara1]

That was 4 years after George Bush Snr declared Portland to be Little Beirut.

[@timbusby7928]

And it still is ,dont let these people fool you.

[@a_figueroa8121]

@@timbusby7928 No man, BLM, Antifa, the homeless, and this useless politicians have destroyed Portland

[@KB-ke3fi]

@@mshara1 yeah it pretty much was too.

[@hustlegamefilmsandproducti868]

Nah Cuzz You Can't Blame No Political Group Or Party Democrats An Republicans Both Are No Good. Both Political Parties Are Corrupted, Selfish Lierz. Portland Has Become Weak, With No Real Leadership. Now There Being Victimized By The Weak An Selfish

[@DistrustHumans]

This isn't a Portland problem, it's a United States problem. Even the small towns in N.E. Arkansas now have homeless issues that didn't exist until recent years.

[@frankihatch]

What about Mississippi?

[@jawanahomer2284]

Thank you! So true! I don't quite understand why they keep trying to make it seem like Portland is the only place with homelessness

[@annatanneberger1]

It is happening all over the world. Started in the 1970s, after two decades (since the 1950s) of developing drugs that can treat mental illness. Then, in the 1970s abuses in mental asylums were exposed and world over mental asylums were closed down. They do, after all, now have the drugs to treat even severe mental illness, so they can release all the inmates into the care of the families, who would ensure that they take their medication. I have a neighbour whose son has a mental illness and he will have to live with his parents for the rest of their lives. She ensures that he takes his drugs and attends therapy. But what happens when she passes away? She is in her 70s and her husband in his 80s. The son is in his 40s. Most families would never have been able or willing to take care of someone like that. They appear charming, but can be difficult and have outbursts. That is why they cannot hold down a job.

[@torturedsoul4397]

You're right. This isn't a "Portland problem" rather it's a crisis in Portland. This is a serious issue in Pdx, should have been dealt with long ago, there is homelessness in other places but NOT as bad as it is here along the West Coast states, we're so fucked because of this, and because we have shitty city leaders it will only worsen in the next 3 years, unless we vote them out, whoever's if anyone is left by election day to vote. I'll be gone in a few months.

[@annatanneberger1]

It is a worldwide problem. Created by a shift in the treatment of mental paitients with the development of drugs in the 1960s that can treat mental health issues - depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, etc. Due also to abuses in mental asylums, that were exposed at the time, it was decided to close them and rely on "community settings", i.e. place these people in the care of their families, who can ensure that they take their medication. Few families have the resources, however, to take care of someone, however sedated. It is tough, even for middle- to upper class families. Here is a paragraph from a UK paper on the subject.

[@AndreaCrisp]

Thank you to this nurse for what she has personally done to help. I have lived in the area since 1990. Portland used to be pristine. Yes, the homeless problem is horrible, but it is not just a Portland problem. It is a national problem that is just showing up first in the west, because, as she says, people can survive outside here unlike much of the country. The tri-counties and Portland are throwing millions into 2k more shelter beds and cleaning up the trash, but neither of these are solutions. We aren't even treading water at this point. As a culture we are quick to blame. I am seeing so many uneducated comments here about people being lowlifes, addicts, lazy etc. "Just move if it's not affordable." Or blaming a houseless commenter for paying for the internet. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Moving takes money and resources. Most people access the internet through cell phones now. Instead of empathy and solutions people want to blame and complain. Trauma and the dwindling middle class/growing division between the rich and the poor are the biggest parts of the problem. Rising housing prices are not sustainable. I have a college education and a counseling degree. At any one time, I personally know a handful of people who are housing unstable, on the verge of houselessness, simply because of the insane cost of housing here now. Friends bouncing from spare room to room or couch to couch. It's been like this since the housing crisis and slowly getting worse. So now instead of knowing one person in this position I know 4 or 5 at any given time. As she said COVID accelerated it. Studies have shown that housing people first is the solution, but Americans are so concerned about people's boot straps that they will not get behind what is shown to work. The reality is that it is nearly impossible to get a job while you are homeless. Especially when living in a shelter. Shelters have strict rules, curfews, often require people to stand in line for hours, pets aren't allowed, families are difficult to place etc. and it is only a bed, not housing. Employment is not an option while going through the hoops. Not to mention how unsafe shelters and government housing are for women, minorities or the disabled. The same goes for addicts. People will never be able to get sober if they don't have the security of a roof over their heads and if their mental health and trauma are not addressed. Weeks or years for an opening is hopeless and does nothing. In truth, the majority of drug and alcohol addiction stims from unresolved trauma. People are using to cover up their emotional and physical pain. Until we start addressing the actual roots of the problem it will only get worse. The homeless are people. Addicts are people. Until we are willing to accept and treat people with love, respect and empathy nothing will work.

[@geoffreyharris5931]

What sort of drugs do the traumatized tend to prefer?

[@SteelShield21]

I'm obsessed with this channel. Gotta appreciate how much effort goes into these videos 👏🏻👏🏻

[@NickJohnson]

Me too :) ❤️

[@davidarmitage289]

Nick is theeee best

[@hingtong5110]

@@adrianhacker7972 He's making these videos to get paid by KZbin. THAT is his job. Shooting homeless videos all around these cities is his way to make a living. I've been watching him in the picture in picture talking to others, I didn't see any emotion or compassion from his expression. Usually, when he looked like he's listening to people, he just looked absent-minded and couldn't care less, only responded in time to continue the conversation. I don't think he'd do these videos for free or out of pure compassion if KZbin suddenly decided not paying him. He's not a humanitarian or anything, but a guy who grabs the opportunity to shoot homeless videos as his main money-making JOB.

[@xfiles4792]

Homeless (drug addict) camps, and the associated crime, exists in cities that tolerate it. You don't see it in cities that have a zero-tolerance policy. It's that simple.

[@lojcass]

The cities that don’t tolerate it send homeless people on buses to cities on the west coast.

[@xfiles4792]

@@lojcass Makes sense to me. Good point!

[@Pln0710]

Stop declaring wars against countries that didn’t cause you harm and take care of your own people .!

[@SunnyIlha]

There is indeed The Bigger Picture. It is referred to (still obscurely) as "Global Perspective". The problem (mass homelessness) is symptom of a much greater, all encompassing malady.

[@paulsuprono7225]

LIFE . . . should NOT be FREE ! 💀

[@paulsuprono7225]

What has happened . . . to values, ethics of society. Seems like 'anything goes' 💀

[@Hugatree1]

@@paulsuprono7225 totally agree! Didn’t he (or she) hear the part about $71,000 per person. That’s about twice my yearly salary and I work a forty hour week manage to pay rent car and all the other basics. Portland is basically ripping off the taxpayers and lining their own pockets

[@tommygunn7745]

That has never been the kind of leadership we have ever had since the founding of our country.Wars are for the profiteers of the military industrial comex. Many people get rich richer because of wars. The propaganda has gone on from our govt and their news hounds. One has to go deeper into history to learn the truth,because the gub ment and their educational system, & medias will only push their same narrative . Both sides do this

[@GergonX]

I have lived in Portland for 40 years. It is far worse here than being portrayed. It has become lawless. Neighborhoods sprayed with gunfire. Car theft and property crimes are not investigated or prosecuted. Downtown is not safe. The businesses at the core of the city are dying a slow death. The local government is clueless and lacks the skills needed to do anything meaningful.

[@treebeardtheent2200]

I lived and worked there for a while myself. It's a serious cultural problem. That place has embraced so many kinds of moral perversions that it was already a rotten egg long before the shell cracked. The idea that you can embrace a culture of immoral filth but still live in paradise simply does not work in the real world.

[@lachicarivers51demilo52]

So loved hearing this nurse Nick to give a more realistic perspective of what is really going on with the sad state of the homeless. The problem is such a toxic mix of drugs, mental instability, unsanitary conditions, exposure to the elements, the zombie eyes walking around, criminality of monies being squandered and stolen by those controlling the purse of the tax payers who are being siphoned under the pretext of trying to fix the problem, and on and on....This caring nurse gave the answer if there is a solution to all of this incredibly sad insanity. I am an optimist by heart, but over the coming many years Nick, you will continue to come back and cover the way up to the bottom of what was once the jewel Portland.

[@susanarsoniadou3588]

What is there to be optimistic about?.You mentioned some gigantic problems.

[@lachicarivers51demilo52]

@@susanarsoniadou3588 Hey Susan. Thanks for the feedback. That was my whole point. That although I tend to be an optimist, I inserted the "but." I am not at all optimistic about Portland.

[@jglee6721]

The nurse is great. She echoed what others have been saying, it's the drug problems, not homelessness. To call them homeless, the left got away with lies again. They always lie and perpetuate problems.

[@gregorycyr9272]

I live in Raleigh NC and homeless is going up here,I work with a few people that are homeless.Housing is getting very expensive for this area,I know Raleigh good.

[@MrRezillo]

@@Resmith18SR it's been tried. it just makes things worse, creating a rigid class system: nomenclatura and party members on the top, proletariat on the bottom.

[@ninarosado618]

Being homeless and held against your will are completely different especially even when homeless people are attacking you and harassing you

[@richardlong6111]

@@ralphlaguna6168 What Republicans are attacking people?

[@pauldoe9003]

@@ralphlaguna6168 which one?

[@aureliomartinez2633]

I'm not very happy how the homeless change the system on there favor They are allowed to do where they want and no consequenses I'm have a tent on my driveway to cover my car front tree sap and city inspector find me with close to 400 dollars because it was no legal even dough is my house work pay taxes and they can do do where not happy

[@LNLA]

My wife and I have recently moved out of Portland to Molalla. We started a nonprofit to help people in the Lents neighborhood. It is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Portland. We have seen several new campsites in the Lents area due to the sweeps downtown. Their intent is to clean up downtown for the tourist and ignore outer SE Portland and use it as a dumping ground.

[@asullivan4047]

When business & tourism vacate an area. Unemployment & tax loss occurs. Along with shop lifting stores out of business-!!!😭

[@lopakabanzon3910]

I was homeless for about five years living in my car and I showered daily at a rec center.. I never smoked, drink, never did drugs.. I worked a full time job and a part time job, both jobs was not enough for a single to live off. A apartment going for about $1400.00 and up. I had to make at least $52,000 to rent a one bedroom apartment...I refused to rent a room due to people involved with drug and alcohol and I couldn't live in dirt n filthy place and renting a room was too expensive... I was able to get on a housing waiting list, I waited for six years.. in my city here in Virginia I got housing assistance due to my disability.

[@lopakabanzon3910]

@@Lildizzle420 northern Virginia

[@Casinogirl56]

I'm just curious and mean no disrespect, but why not move to a cheaper area? Seems like it would be way better than being homeless.

[@lopakabanzon3910]

@@Casinogirl56 it's not easy just to pick up and leave, it's too expensive to move, so no matter where you move to housing is too expensive.

[@timbusby7928]

Wow paul Harvey's the rest of the story, being REAL

[@Nobilitism]

@@lopakabanzon3910 how expensive could it be to move? Since you're living your car, all you have to do is just drive.

[@cristianpaulmartinez52]

It frustrates me how this is framed as a homeless problem instead of a housing problem. It focuses on people as the issue and not poverty as the problem.He said himself the cost of living has gone up 50% in the past decade.

[@agatehuntress499]

Very true. It also doesn't help that other cities and towns are bussing their homeless out here, then they point the finger at us like it's all our fault we have so many homeless. Between pricing people out of homes, and people being bussed in to specifically become the people swept under the rug, so other places can "appear' more tidy, this isn't going to get any better.

[@Raymond_Petit]

Also Portland and Multnomah County leaders refuse to acknowledge the addiction problem and take measures to insure there is sufficient long-term treatment!

[@revekat2053]

Public/subsidized/low income housing and section 8 vouchers exist to help with people with lower rent. There’s also a lot of organizations in Portland that help with rent assistance. Some people just want to live on the streets like animals. Well I guess humans are animals so there’s that.

[@anthonycardenas1297]

There is your issue, first off homless is a propaganda word. They are drug addicts who choose drugs and to live in open air drug dens. Just because you put people in homes off the tax payers dollars wont fix the root cause of the problem. These people dont want help at all.

[@justmusic8166]

Haven't been there in 10 years but you didn't see this mess. Back then l spoke to a police officer and he said people come all the way from Alaska for the free goodies. I guess this is the road America is headed on. That one building is the old bus station. The building with the tower is the train station, caught a train from Portland to Seattle, very nice .

[@NickJohnson]

I'm sure it was

[@user-oj3gb8nh2q]

thank you for showing us the truth

[@mitchkroener]

One element of this you used to see when I was in college in PDX was that, in addition to the overall homeless problem, was the issue of young teenage runaways from all over the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Midwest living on the streets in Portland. It’s just a known place where kids like that would go and you’d see them busking and sleeping rough near Pioneer Square. While I’d hope that the larger issue can be addressed, I would like to see that population prioritized for help because of their vulnerability to crime and abuse.

[@bungkusi2432]

There's also a kind of people that lived in a car. So perhaps the homeless number even higher.

[@TheShunbanEmpire]

it took my dad 5 years of being homeless in Oregon and having a stroke that ended up partially paralyzing his left side before he was helped with getting off the streets and put into a care center! I can't believe that they are spending as much money as they are and people are still suffering! it seems as though the city just doesn't care at all!

[@willianblanco8991]

Why you didn’t help your dad? 5 years?

[@TheShunbanEmpire]

@@willianblanco8991 because both my dad and I are on social security and my dad never gained the skills to get an apartment on his own throughout all his years and he didn't have a primary care physician until recently and not only that I live in foster care as I need the services as without it I wouldn't be alive today. Also my dad got to used to being homeless but I'm just glad and thankful that he finally has a roof over his head although the state services kept on falling out of reach for him as by the time he'd have money the housing line skip that would happen every now and then would always end before he got his money for the month and so because of that it was impossible for him to find a way to get section 8 housing here in Oregon.

[@anamedina4141]

Super interesting! A coworker of mine told me the story of when she went on a road trip on her travel van, someone approached her and thought she was homeless...and paying her to go to Portland,OR. We live in Portland... lol

[@dghchs]

Your interview with the "nose ring nurse" was extremely insightful. She is obviously steeped in this problem in Portland. Great video. I live in Hawaii and we have the exact same homeless issues. Great weather and a liberal social environment. Like she mentioned, it's a problem of mental illness or drug addiction...or both. Sometimes they medicate with drugs to deal with their mental illness and sometimes the hard and extended drug use actually CREATES mental illness. The fact that there ARE so many social services available is why these people drop out of society around Portland and San Francisco. But why is it up to the taxpaying businesses in Portland to fund all of this spending on these people so they can get high in tents on the street? Of course, these businesses and residents will simply move. Agree on the mental health crisis, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic. We need to bring back state run mental institutions where mentally ill people can be admitted for life and given some sort of comfortable existence. We turned em out in the 80's and now these people are either on the streets, in prison, or dead. Let's not forget to the thank the Sackler family for getting America hooked on opiates by bribing the FDA to tell doctors that their Oxy had less than 1% addiction rate. Way to go Sacklers! Too bad rich families have rich friends and rich lawyers that allow them to get away with anything. But I digress. There is a good book called "Chasing the Scream" . Lets get "euro" on this.

[@ChartreuseKitty]

Great post, except that there are lots of homeless in places without social services. In some, cities you don't see them as much because there are empty houses; in rural areas, they're in the woods. I don't think the tent-livers are folks from the 80s, There were only a few wandering around under Burnside Bridge in the 80s. These people are younger, attracted to PDX because it was cool, beautiful, or whatever. I'm in western PA (and old) now and I still hear my college-aged students say they want to move to Portland. One of my former students says he wants to move to Oregon and open a café and have lots of property where he could have several dogs. He has no clue.

[@Jigsjigz]

they take your tax money and find a way to pay themselves/family or friends with it, dont cost millions to buy a warehouse or empty building and home them all... but hey they make more money this way.

[@darleneatkinson6730]

dghocshs, It like all these issues was created by others only left for another younger generation to deal with it kind of like the debt thing Pushing every issue down the pile line for a whole new group of people to deal with who did not create these issues. I live in California I was born in California, Say no to drugs all drugs even doctor drugs. They all seem to have some type of side effect I hope God have mercy help every one get their act together. I was taught be responsible with my choices If people think about the long term out come it might be a lot different. But not every one taught to be responsible it start as children then into teen years then to young grown-ups. No one can really fix some one else life so people need to stop thinking free loaders and look for ways to better their lives individually But I have no way to make others be accountable for their live choices and neither do social workers or people in programs. It got to be individual choices. I understand your comment very well. Happy Holidays.

[@jenniferdaulby5519]

Another excellent book is "Dopesick" which is also on KZbin as an audiobook.

[@eliepp5297]

I'm also in Hawaii. Yes, it's horrendous out here.

[@Jazer0126]

The same thing happening in D.C. The encampments are filled with addicts. All of the local money dedicated to homelessness is being stolen by crooked city officials. Smfh.

[@paulanthony6931]

All of these blue states are problematic

[@jonathandiperna3706]

But. But. Um. Orange man bad.

[@jglee6721]

They love it. Guarantee that the cities will stay blue the next 100 years. Chicago, Detroit are the model.

[@myfoodishere]

reds got their homeless and drug addicts too. you know theyre a problem too.

[@TriNguyen-ug1qv]

@@myfoodishere Yes ,but not as bad as what we see in blue cities or States

[@myfoodishere]

@@TriNguyen-ug1qv believe me, i've got no horse in this race but red states have some of the worst education and poverty in the country. you can drive anywhere in the united states and find abject poverty and crime. or just really uneducated people and joblessness and drug abuse. this whole red state blue state shit is stupid. theyre all the united states. there are no red states and blue states and if people dont get that and learn to work together then the country will fail.

[@JohnnyPeacenic]

most homeless are not drug users or mentally ill. it's the new United States

[@lenatran2471]

Please keep sharing. You could do a whole video about SE Portland where I grew up. It's totally being destroyed right now.

[@markinsacramento]

Do you remember when Portland was listed year after year as a top 10 city to live in?

[@MrKorton]

Well the homeless remember and that's what matters ❤

[@markinsacramento]

@@MrKorton perfect reply

[@ChartreuseKitty]

That was the problem. Everybody moved there, and it got too expensive.

[@markinsacramento]

@@ChartreuseKitty try looking at the liberal policies and politics of Portland. I think you will find your source there

[@LarryLopez91]

@@markinsacramento Nope. The guy you replied to hit the nail on the head. The simple economics of supply and demand has priced the poor out of affording anything in cities. The more a city grows, the more expensive it gets. It's not rocket science. We are experiencing the consequences of economic growth and high wage jobs. Since there's more competition in the market from more renters that are making more money, the landlords have responded accordingly by raising rent prices. Welcome to capitalism.

[@cheriemiller669]

Briggs! Nice interview. I can't believe how much has happened since before the pandemic. So sad

[@Sol-Butkis]

You should do a video going along the bike path on I 205. Its shanty town after shanty town.

[@jeremysinaz3580]

I call that Ted Wheeler pass

[@Mar2bv]

I pray every day when I wake up nick Johnson comes to Mexico and meets with the homeless and interviews gang members. We need you nick. We are counting on you. 🇲🇽

[@dlane7539]

Does mexico allow homeless to set up tents in major city areas like here in US? Sadly its politics that encourages this type of living. Praying for everyone caught up in this cycle.

[@schizomode]

I lived in Argentina and there was no huge homelessness problem either. I think the problem here in America is the welfare mentality

[@zinknot]

You will never see this in Mexico. Homeless there are selling things and finding little jobs to do. Not openly shooting up heroin and meth on downtown sidewalks.

[@schizomode]

I think the U.S is bound to fail if this continues. Countries who appear poor now but maintain their familial and cultural ties will make it through this phase of the kali yuga

[@brett6468]

About 5 or 6 years ago I went to my Credit Union near the now vacant Lloyd Mall in NE Portland. Walking up to the office tower I encountered an energetic puppy investigating some shrubs planted along the perimeter of a parking garage. Looking around for its owner, a young cleanly dressed couple in their early twenties finally appeared after a few minutes to track down the dog. They thanked me for finding their escaped pet and then walked back into a tent located on the side walk about 1/2 a block away.

[@GreatGreebo]

Hanna is right…the I-5 corridor is chocked full of the homeless. It’s always shocking whenever I have to drive into Portland proper…it’s gotten so much worse this past couple years. The rents around here have also gone through the roof. I feel so bad for the working homeless who just cannot afford the rents. But with drugs basically being made legal and lots of services being provided so many drug addicts are flocking here and just adding to the problem..

[@ChartreuseKitty]

Drugs would be there even if they weren't legal. They'd get arrested and be back on the street, even though it would help them more if they were locked up for a long time. (A friend whose daughter was addicted to cocaine wanted her daughter to be locked up). Here in mostly rural western PA where all drugs are illegal and you can't buy liquor on Sunday, we have, in addition to illegal pot: heroin, fentanyl, meth and mixtures thereof, and some cocaine. There are so many babies born addicted in some hospitals, it's shocking. It's not publicized, and there's no Nick driving around to document it.

[@jansmitowiczauthor78]

I wonder if there was a massive sea- change event over the last couple years or so that might be making this problem way way worse...hmmm

[@rsohlich1]

@@ChartreuseKitty it's never going to go away so we should try to get innovative. I know pure pharmaceutical grade diacetylmorphine (heroin) can be used on street opiate addicts in a pretty successful way. But meth on the other hand is MUCH more difficult because of it's neurotoxic properties. No easy solution. All I do know is it seems like society is in a form of traumatic response and people are anxious and worried about so many different things related to economics and so much more. Hope it gets better

[@tommygunn7745]

"I-5 corridor is chocked full of the homeless." Thats because there are mainly close services nearby and they cant afford a regular home, cops dont make them move..for any number of good or lame reasons

[@GreatGreebo]

@@tommygunn7745 it’s as if you didn’t read what I actually wrote and are just looking to one up someone else with your brilliance? 👍

[@violet640]

Government spend so much money and other resources on these people but these people don’t give back to government . Once released from hospital - they go back to drugs . They are a burden FOREVER .

[@gotellit6961]

My post got canceled and I didn't use one disparaging word. I just told the truth about the situation in a very cogent way. Not allowed I guess. Sad, because you can't fix a situation if you can't openly discuss the truth about it.

[@KALMA26]

Same thing happened to my comments. YT doesn’t agree with the truth.

[@patticampana9458]

Wow. It seems like it pays more to be homeless than working class living hand to mouth? Amazing. How informative! Thanks Nick, as usual a real thinker🤔

[@CatalinaBlue]

Shelters generally require you to be clean... they don't let you bring your bottle or drugs--or small dog (often used as a prop).....so many actually choose to be homeless.

[@hmart92]

I met a young kid a couple years back that was homeless by choice he told me he will never work for money that he lives off of other people's work he seemed to be proud of getting people to give him money for free

[@us-unclesam6566]

As long as the taxpayers put up with this nonsense it will continue.

[@timbusby7928]

Be a part of the fix ,dont just run your Diarrhea mouth

[@us-unclesam6566]

@@timbusby7928 Hah, Hah. The fix that's actually what caused the problem. Running ones mouth is the only way anything gets done when others, such as yourself, are causing the problem and telling others to shut up. Lead, follow or get out of the way.

[@MostIntelligentMan]

taxpayers are criminals that destroy society, homes are self imprisonment

[@tnh723]

@@timbusby7928 truth hurts you don't it?

[@JimmyFranny]

@@MostIntelligentMan now, that’s just too funny…

[@clayhackney3514]

In many other states all of these vehicles with no tags or insurance and dangerously unable to pass code would be towed. The police would search and find the meth pipe or needle or whatever that we all know is in there and send it off to the scrap yard where it belongs. There is nothing loving or benevolent about allowing people to live in their own rock bottom forever.

[@Miakitty4233]

Well after reading all these comments maybe the change needs to be an open accounting system for every Oregon city enabling the public to oppose and discontinue services not working for its citizens. This way the public can decide if new projects, programs, ordinances, ect. Are working and not dragging more residents into decisions of having to move behind increased taxes.

[@piotrcurious1131]

that is way too lax. Adopting strict quality control like in any normal corporation is mininum. That means risk management of each project, setting realistic goals AND closely auditing to verify if they are completed. First of all figuring out how money go to drug dealers, as this is simple and effective. It will cause resistance, but there is no other way to root out funding problem. That means auditing ivory towers first. Sure that city council wants journalists and youtubers to focus on the result on the streets, that is something visual, something public can comprehend. Follow the money though. Big question for me , coming from completely different culture is - what caused Your society to be so dumbed down and fragmented to be unable to even know the causes. It is like being invaded , but not knowing uniform of your enemy, and it seems no one even cares. That is McNamara fallacy - ignoring what You do not understand. And it is suicide.

[@jollyroger35]

Good point. Every organization analyses their program spending so they can make the most of it, whether it's a private company or nonprofit/charity. Every organization that is except for government.

[@jasonjames4254]

Government is created by the people. Any government is a reflection of the people who put them in office. The fundamental problem is that voters do not hold their public officials accountable. Organized voters have to continually show up at city council meetings and threaten to recall and remove them if they won't provide results and accountability.

[@Miakitty4233]

@@piotrcurious1131 A good perspective but your thoughts on knowing the enemy sounds like your speaking about another American revolution. This government would without hesitation let an entire city go as seen already. We are a nation of people who really are not as free as we once were. People want to preserve what freedoms they have peacefully. Just as we voted these idiots in from the city to state level so must we vote them out. More people need to stay involved in every city. The monitoring needs to come from every citizen. Education is the bigger problem, most kids graduate without knowing how to balance a check book or do their own taxes. Everything with young adults seems in my opinion more of what the popular point of view is and not an investigative result.

[@piotrcurious1131]

@@Miakitty4233 I really wish You luck with all that. We usually are locked in negativity bias, still even fact that so many people faced failure right now is teaching everyone very good lesson. Funny fact is that CIA did release "paradox of progress" report in 2017 outlining exactly what is happening, pointing on things people should focus on - building resilience, relationships, being careful of avoiding being manipulated into being divided. Focus on preserving basic human rights and voting to lay foundations to support them is imho very important - the imperative to support eachother and to acknowledge their needs, accepting of weakness and not being trapped in us/them mentality in power relations. If this sounds like "revolution" - go for it.

[@janeayre96]

A one bedroom apartment in Portland is over $1200 a month. In the crappiest parts of town. This is the result of corporations buying houses and apartments then pricing people out.

[@loganwilson5457]

Got millions poring over the southern border to lend them a helping hand. Be patient. helps on the way

[@michaelasay8587]

Logan....what? Yr US and Biden is disgusting!

[@bobyoung1698]

It would be educational to know how many people are pouring over the southern border and how many are currently living on the streets in cities like Portland.

[@greggaieck4119]

How sad for Portland Oregon

[@mellowmonday5659]

My car was just broken into Portland and all my equipment was stolen it was vital to my job

[@sweetlifeofHoney]

Im on my 4th breakin on my cars

[@maxmotors9497]

They don't sweep the tents downtown. That's incorrect. I live here, and I live downtown. I have endemic camps all over the downtown area that haven't moved in a year and a half. They only move some people, and it's only where truly rich people or companies reside. They had to pay for private guards to do it. Also, the city does pay for some of the cleanup, but I see more volunteer crews out than the contracted crews. Bandaids on a feces pile. You are talking about sweeps that don't exist. They are saying they do it, but they don't.

[@pappy9473]

The homeless problem is, worldwide, and is simply not a question of '...going out and getting a job...'. Unless the USA concerns itself with the profound societal issues facing it instead of using a laissez-faire approach to just solving superficial image issues, it will continue spiralling into an abyss of untold disaster, akin to underdeveloped countries. US citizens, living in the wealthiest nation in history, should be utterly ashamed of the neglect of the most vulnerable. And getting people relatively well then pushing '... them out the door...', is indicative of how uncaring, selfish and warped US society is.

[@pappy9473]

@@Resmith18SR If that's the reality, it's frightening.

[@willsimmons3492]

💯

[@CameraGirl65]

I live in this area and the homeless situation is way worse than you describe. There are homeless camps on the medians of the major highways and streets all over, Its really heartbreaking.

[@lagunaflyguy]

It's a disgrace this has been allowed to fester. If I were running things these clowns would all be run out of town.

[@kozmikoblivion]

I used to work at Greyhound (now, shutdown), right there off Hoyt in 2014. It was bad then, now it’s horrendous. The worst is Jantzen Beach/Delta Park/Hayden Meadows.

[@lwhunt330]

You notice all of the businesses along these corridors are boarded up and the businesses mostly closed. This destroys the tax base that could assist in the expense of relocation and camps. This perpetuates the problem indefinitely. Increasing taxes for social programs will not help.

[@apexoppressor1924]

& a lot of it is just enabling handouts. Making it "nicer" to continue an addiction. & ppl are moving there for the ability to camp, use drugs and not be hassled. Blind empathy is worse than useless

[@loucious22]

Nick - you should go and talk with more of the homeless. You'd get some good stories and insights. Right now you're just an outsider looking in.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

He has talked to them and from what I see, when he asks why aren't they working - they are FILLED with EXCUSES. Believe me - THEY can work...but MOST don't want to. The homeless that DO need help and subsidized are the poor folks working two jobs and still NOT making it. THEY are the homeless that need helped...FIRST.

[@loucious22]

@@dancalmpeaceful3903 he should make more videos of him talking to them then and hearing their stories. Right now he just drives around a lot. Or this interview where he interviews someone who did the talking with homeless people when he could just go do it himself. Why interview the middlewoman? Give me stories from the street.

[@Casinogirl56]

Many of those people are not mentally stable and it's not real safe going down there alone and on foot. You can feel free to go do that if you want though.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

@@loucious22 I think considering the danger, Nick would need to get hazard pay...

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

@@Casinogirl56 You must be talking about going to talk to Democrats...oh, you're talking about talking with the homeless (Same difference -both mentally unstable). At first I thought you were talking about talking with the brainless (Democrats). But seriously - I wouldn't go there regardless of HOW much you paid me. Expect to get robbed...or stabbed...or attacked.

[@mikemiller4242]

There is no progress. I work for one of the companies, contracted by the city of Portland. Some of those tent's have been there over a year now. When a sweep happens and properties are confiscated and stored, the camper's will go out to the many missions to receive new tens and set up in the same spots that were just cleared. This is a nomadic subculture that is here to stay.

[@zkittlezthabanditt604]

I had an uncle who was murdered along with his girlfriend last year (2020), I can't say much about it because it's still ongoing, but they were 'likely' killed by a squatter. It was on NE Davis Street

[@suewaterhouse3639]

The story here should be an audit of what has been done with the money given already on this problem. Where has the money gone?????? Who is stealing it???? That is the story that should be told!!!!

[@MusicLover-ui9sm]

Build more mental health hospitals in every city Build affordable housing for the poor Build more retiring facilities for the aging, disabled people Build more prisons for the criminals Then the streets will be cleaned up Simple fix

[@PG-is9vr]

Great reporting on a very troubling and tragic situation. Thank you.

[@tytraulich4987]

I just got back from Lima Peru & I spent time in Callao which had dirt roads and chickens. I didn’t see a single homeless person. 3rd world huh? ~Minneapolis

[@22lyric]

We need relocation camps. For the sake and safety of everyone.

[@Nicole.7788]

Those are called Fema camps.

[@ackoh14]

@ 3:33 The Lady In The Car Flipping you off , lol

[@veganjem]

I have been homeless on and off. I was a homeless kid hitching thru Oregon in the 1970s. It was easy and simple back then. I had lived in Oregon as a child briefly. I will say tho seems everyone is dissing the idea of tiny homes...the thing is they are shelter, better than a homeless shelter where you have to smell other people, their farts and hear their snoring and risk getting scabies, lice, staph infections, getting your stuff stolen. It gives people privacy and peace for a short while. I would have loved to have had that offered to me. No, I would not want to have lived my life in one tho. Just to get out of the weather and be able to sleep a good night. thats the main thing that runs people down. Lack of sleep, worrying about your stuff being stolen..freezing, getting rained on, having the wind blow sand in your face..etc.. or having ants, rats, roaches getting on you. Its really nice that they were helping poeple get foot baths..

[@houayang4345]

Yep, it's getting bad. People running red light out here.

[@philipketchum1407]

I was scanning the comments to see if I was the only one that saw that.

[@tytraulich4987]

Lol

[@quartytypo]

Oregon cries out for the two-story tent with garage

[@hothotheat3000]

I’m pretty laissez-faire when it comes to politics, but come on. There’s obviously something seriously wrong here, LA, San Fran, and Hawaii. I would not feel safe living in these locations.

[@bleurose8380]

You can get rid of the mayor and the governor for starters. I live in oregon and I will not go to portland. Do not know much people that will go to portland. Here in salem oregon our homeless is real bad and I do not see them doing anything with them but kick them around.

[@l.thegirl2581]

Wtf happened?! I used to go there for work all the time, up to 2016. It was fine! I swear I never saw a single tent, and I was always downtown. They were constantly building and putting new stuff up, renovating, etc. Wow

[@enjoyslearningandtravel7957]

Well as you see in what the nurse said all over the West Coast there’s homeless problems caused by illegal drug use addiction and or mental problems and seeming to spread over some of the rest of the areas of the US. The nurse said some of it started in the 80s when they closed the mental health institutions or whatever they’re called; so maybe those need to get reinstated. My much older relatives were saying the same thing but I think they closed them first because there were problems there or abuses so maybe they need to start in health institutions in a good way in a practical way and also institutions perhaps a better name for that , that people can go to to kick the drug habit and then learn a trade or skill and get back in normal life and enjoying life. Like the nurse said this is dangerous for them, the homeless such as overdosing on drugs and other safety issues plus the businesses trying to make a living plus regular people just needing to walk by might not be safe because a person overdosing on drugs might attack them or rob them or just ask for money and the person might feel harassed and not know if they’re safe or especially a petite woman or older child.

[@ChartreuseKitty]

They closed the mental institutions ostensibly because they "weren't working" but in so doing, they saved a ton of money, and most of the inmates ended up on the street. (I'm older, BTW, and originally from PDX. I always wonder if they were influenced in part by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's next.)

[@lgrantnelson2863]

I have a friend who I pick up in Salem. She was assaulted near Union Station by several homeless people, but a security guard ran them off.

[@Brad_Jenkins]

Here's the problem, Minimum wage hasn't increased in years, rent has increased exponentially.

[@kordi7888]

Exactly. The cost of living this year alone has skyrocketed from gas to food to housing ect ect.

[@SmoothKatDaddy12]

Being born and raised you're just used to it. But now they are out in the suburbs on people's property. It's east to be homeless with all the government aid. I live now in Columbus, OH and I've never seen a tent. Can't survive here in the winter in negative weather.

[@Miggylocz]

I was upset that you ran that red light at the beginning of the video. But at 3:33 that lady felt how I was feeling. Lmao

[@NickJohnson]

People can't handle when a KZbin star comes to town

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

It's time to bring the mental health institutions back. We offer real help to the homeless for drugs and mental health, long term treatment, half way houses etc.... Real help, 1-2 year long programs. Give everyone two chances, those that make it and go back to being a positive member of society, great, those that don't make it or those that refuse to try, we lock up in the mental health institutions for life and that is that. We would wrap up this homeless issue in 5 years.

[@diffusesden5455]

I like how the girl you talked with around 15:00, is using the experience of compassion and caring to actually discount the fact that her voting policies have created these issues. Once she admits that how she had previously voted, and the policies she was a part of passing.

[@EricPS]

I really liked the outro message of this video. It does really seem like the city leaders don't care about their communities any more. And, as I've known all along, they have been so severely weakened by their own lack of prioritization and being in cahoots with activists. We really do have to start taking care of the problems ourselves. I don't live in Portland, but I live about 25 miles away from it. But I have really started to get to know my neighbors and I never used to. We have to start looking out for each other because the city leaders won't do it and it's not really their job anyway. Nannying by governments is not what we need right now.

[@mutleymutley7474]

I blame OR residents for electing and re-electing Democrats with their liberal progressive policies. You reap what you sow.

[@ccofnw]

"Housing is available, but there is a 2-year waitlist" Then there is NOT available housing. two years of waiting means NO housing is currently available. two years out in the weather/on the unsafe streets is the different between life and death. double talk to paint a prettier picture helps no one. Be up front. The lack of housing is a huge problem and people are acting like it's not.

[@minorclips7541]

The two-year wait is for Section 8 housing which is basically a voucher that get you free rent. The fact of matter is there's plenty of housing available and probably 99% of these people have an income be it SSI, government assistance, disability Etc. The actual problem is these people want to live by their own rules they don't want to live in a lawful Society and they choose to spend their income on drugs and alcohol rather than having a roof over their heads because in order to get into Housing Programs you need to show that you're clean and sober and that you're not going to be a detriment to other people that are looking around you this is the same reason why these people refuse to use shelters. And with the local government and state governments making it so easy for them by supplying Financial handouts free food free clothing cell phones bus passes free medical care there's no motivating factor for them to do the right thing. So in all honesty I asked you why would you go through the pain and hardship of getting clean and sober and trying to improve your life when you can get everything you need or want handed to you for free wow free for them for everybody else it's a financial burden let's be honest none of the homeless really give a s*** about that. It also doesn't help when your shitshow smooth brain local government decriminalizes all drugs and then cuts a quarter of the funding to your Police Department on top of bastardizing law enforcement officers which in turn makes them hesitant to even do their job and enforce quality-of-life laws. Maybe it's time somebody starts worrying about the business owners in the property owners and the people who are actually paying taxes that make it possible for the shitshow of a local government to give all these handouts to the homeless instead they enforce no laws they allow local businesses to be robbed looted burn to the ground they let people's property values be diminished and I'm sorry but if it comes down to me worrying about some guy on meth on the street corner and if he's going to be cold tonight or the father whose business has been robbed so many times that he has to close it down because he can't afford to keep it open and now he can't feed his children and he can't put a roof over the head for his family I'm going to worry about the hard-working father who's going to lose his business not the f****** meth head who's f****** looking 2 Rob my car as soon as I turn my back cities like Portland that has turned their back on their residence and open their arms to the homeless by decriminalizing drugs and not enforcing quality-of-life laws need to start investing in their law enforcement cracking down on drug crimes and quality-of-life issues and actively forcing these people out of areas where they affect local businesses and local families because right now cities like Portland or a destination four people all over the country because they see how good it is for the homeless there

[@jasonjames4254]

@@minorclips7541 Exactly! America's homelessness problem is first and foremost a drug problem. Yes, mental health is also an issue, but substance abuse is it's root cause. Most people with mental health issues are capable of maintaining employment if they cooperate with a treatment plan. But you'll never get them to cooperate with a treatment plan if you enable their addiction with freebies and allowing them to live on the streets. Cloudgurl is wrong! Give addicts free housing and it will only make their addiction worse!

[@ccofnw]

@@minorclips7541 ok 1. I realize you saw my comment, and for some reason it set u off, but comment was about the double talk people use for affordable housing for the homeless.... not all that other crap, and 2. not everyone who is homeless refuses to want to follow the rules or there would be NO waiting list. the fact that people want the help and want to follow the rules and are applying for said help, AND waiting TWO DANG YEARS to get the help PROVES that. seems a part of your issue is you see the side of homelessness you choose to see, the ugly side, and choose not to see the other side, the unfortunate side. people become homeless for all kinds of reasons, not just by choice of because of addiction. medical debt, loss of wages, natura disasters, house fires, leaving an abusive marriage, move away from abusive family in general, being thrown out as a teen for being LGBTQA+, are just a few examples you seem to overlook in your rant. if you look at every homeless person and think to yourself something nasty and mean things like they are "just a F******* meth head" than that says more about YOU than it does about them.

[@lauriesommers7043]

Spend the money on getting Mental Health Facilities and Drug and Alcohol Treatment for those that want to quit using. This money is not going to the right places it is going in someone's pockets. This is America crazy shit nobody wants to work this is our new generation!!!

[@AdmiralPreparedness]

The cities taxpayers have no decision on how to solve Portland's homelessness problem. So, they just relocate. This endless circle can only be broken by not putting the same politicians back in charge each election cycle. Start there first. Then address each problem person by person.

[@timbusby7928]

The Republicans cry about Portland because Portland changes Oregon Blue, Bam NAILED it.

[@LarryLopez91]

@@timbusby7928 Yup. And neither party has bothered to provide a solution to homelessness. Liberals just tolerate it while conservatives want to criminalize it.

[@cbright1626]

FUND THE POLICE DRASTICALLY. QUIT WHINNING WHEN THEY PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

[@babyvaso3855]

Offering a solution you know will not work gives the false impression of not only dealing with the problem, but convincing people you didn't invest enough TO fix that problem and thus you can keep funneling more money into the basket. If the problem however is being dealt with then I can't tell.

[@Lunaeus]

Its based on the law of accumulation. When a person develops a drug problem...this accumulates into a cascading effect of more problems developing. Playing the sympathy card and the song-n-dance follow up, just contributes to the accumulation of the degradation scenario for the community. Einstein once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

[@willybones3890]

Send their asses to Puerto Rico. Everyone lives like that, they'll fit right in.

[@krisquigley4497]

@Federal Reserve Wolf 3 Who cares who said it? It's true. And most folks do think Einstein said it. Looks like you're (not 'your') the one trying to sound smart.

[@JamesTyreeII]

I was a fourth generation Portland Oregonian born and raised and lived there my whole life from 1981 until this year when I moved to Ohio. It is absolutely mind boggling how much money Portland has thrown at the problem which has only gotten worse. I don’t understand what the money is supposed to be doing but it’s not working. The prices of apartments and houses are unattainable for the wages that are offered in most of the jobs in the area

[@tonystephens6858]

I guess running stop lights (0:25) in Portland is at the bottom of the list.

[@ronaldojohnny7774]

I live here in Portland for the past 7 years and every year I can see the homelessness problem growing worse. I moved here from Southern California, so where I am from, I was relatively shocked to see this happen right in front of me and never imagined this except in the movies but is the truth. I went to school at Portland State from 2016-2020, and every time I commute to school, i would remember the stetch and the trouble surrounding this issue. Sometimes when I take the MAX I have to experience the foul odor on the MAX and having on occassion people screaming for no reason at all and mental health is something that scares me a lot and something that I am not used to.

[@mrnobody8540]

The money is controlled by the few for the few at the cost of the massive amount of tax payers

[@quikmart1]

Speaking of mental health, the person driving with a camera in one hand ran a red light on downtown Burnside.

[@scovell7]

"It's still a great city...we''ll get back to the beauty that we once were." Sure, buddy.

[@audgepodge77]

Yeah right....this city has gone to shit since 2011 when I moved here....ugh 😩

[@Ori0n1975]

I just love that little propaganda cartoon about Portland that plays in the ads on KZbin vids.🙄

[@MickGeorge-u6i]

I used to live in Portland. Back in the 80s rents were pretty reasonable though they were still high. And had been thinking about going back to Portland as a place to live the great the light rail. The transportation system is phenomenal but I’m beginning to wonder, both of my daughters were born in Portland, Oregon at health Sage University back in 87 and 89. But is it really a friendly city anymore. From what I hear on the video it sounds like a very scary place and I don’t know if it’s a place I should even think about going back to.😊

[@rickl124]

I know there are welfare to work programs in some US cities. I think Portland and other cities with serious homeless issues need to devise a way to get these people in some type of actual housing provided they are willing to get\stay clean and work for the city or partner businesses in some capacity. They need to end completely free handouts and for those that choose to remain in tents\encampments and don't want to follow the rules they need to be identified, provided a warning and they have 90 days to show they are clean and ready to provide value to their communities or they can go to jail and get clean there.

[@dianewilkins4418]

If they sleep on the street they should be expected to maintain it.

[@theaftermath1809]

This is horrible, Can you all imagine how is every city in United State of America would look like 20 to 50 years from now if homeless crisis continue???

[@SugarbabySunny]

Minneapolis here the homeless have hot tents with wood burning camping stoves. I used to donate food and clothes to the tent city on 16th ave s and Franklin ave. It's hard, I am part Native, so seeing other natives homeless hits harder than the average minnesotan guy in a tent.