Homeless Response

The City of Oregon City recognizes homelessness as a critical issue impacting multiple sectors of our community.

Following is a summary of the various strategies and programs implemented in an effort to address homelessness in Oregon City.

Resource Connections

In 2017 the Oregon City Police Department (OCPD) created a Homeless Liaison Officer (HLO) position to act as an outreach connection for the homeless community. The City's Police Department and Code Enforcement Division contracted with a homeless liaison consultant in 2019 to further assist with outreach coordination efforts. This consultant connects individuals with services such as Father's Heart Street Ministry and Bybee Lakes Hope Center. OCPD established a Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) by hiring a Mental Health Specialist in 2020. As the homeless population has grown in Oregon City, police officers have increasingly been called to help with issues in the community that involve people with mental illness. Most of these calls are not criminal in nature, they are people who need help. When the police are called for such incidents, the BHU can respond to the scene with officers to provide guidance and aid in problem-solving. The Law Enforcement Diversion Program (LEAD) is a common resource utilized by the OCPD HLO and BHU. This program helps redirect individuals committing specified law violations due to behavioral health conditions such as substance use or mental health to community-based services instead of jail and prosecution.

Implementing Programs & Funding for Change

In 2020 OCPD applied for and was granted $25,000 in Metro Enhancement funds to go toward a Homeless Camp Cleanup Program and to assist in expenses incurred by contracting a homeless consultant. A second grant was applied for in 2021 for an additional $25,000. The goals of this cleanup program are to provide services to the homeless community living in the City, so they are no longer living on the streets, and to have public areas cleaned on a regular basis to discourage and eliminate large encampments.

Goal Setting

Because homelessness is a complex and challenging issue, but also a top priority, the City Commission and the City's Executive Team met multiple times for a series of goal-setting workshops with a goal to align around a shared vision, to discuss current community projects and issues and provide City staff with direction regarding the Commission's priorities for the coming years. The Homelessness Strategy is a product of the 2022 City Commission Goal Number 4: Adopt and Implement a homelessness strategy for Oregon City. Furthermore, the City Commission will develop partnerships with other local and regional governments to develop local and regional solutions for serving the homeless population.

Limits of Enforcement and Case Law

The Ninth Circuit Federal Court ruling, Martin versus the City of Boise, prohibits cities from enforcing anti-camping and similar ordinances unless the City has provided alternative shelter. Oregon is part of the Ninth Circuit, so this decision applies to Oregon municipalities, and limits enforcement in some instances. A second ruling, Blake versus City of Grants Pass (PDF) provides another example of case law explaining how municipalities can be in violation of the Eight Amendment if the person cited had no meaningful alternative to sleeping outside. To outline a process to ensure the humane treatment of individuals during the process of cleaning homeless encampments, Oregon City created a Clean-up of Unauthorized Campsites on Public Property Policy (PDF) and amended Ordinance 20-1004 (PDF) approved by the City Commission in March 2020.

FAQs

Why doesn't Oregon City do something about all the homeless people in Oregon City?

Homelessness is a very complex problem and Oregon City is one of many cities in the country struggling to find successful ways of addressing the problem. Many of the homeless people on the streets struggle with issues related to addiction, mental illness, and histories of trauma. Oregon City has dedicated staff that works every day to solve problems for the homeless and for the people and business owners with concerns in the community. The Oregon City Police Department has an outreach officer who is dedicated to the homeless problem. The police department also has a Behavioral Health Specialist embedded within the department to ensure people in crisis and/or suffering from behavioral health issues get the best care. In addition, the City expends resources through the general fund and grants for neighborhood cleanup and beautification. Click here to review the City's Homelessness Strategy.

What should I do if I observe a homeless camp?

The City appreciates public reporting. Please call Oregon City Code Enforcement at 503-905-3665 or Oregon City Police Department Non-Emergency at 503-655-8211.

By providing an accurate location and description of the camp you will assist the responding officers in locating and contacting the occupants of the camp. Once the camp is located and the occupants have been contacted, what is actually done about the camp is dependent on many factors. The responding officers will work closely with the many resources available to determine the best course of action to take regarding the removal of the camp.

A homeless person has set up a tent on my business or private property, what can I do?

You can take a proactive stance on keeping trespassers off your property by posting signs and maintaining your property perimeter. If an illegal encampment appears on your property, you have the right to ask the individuals to leave or contact the Oregon City Police non-emergency number for assistance 503-655-8211.

Why can't the City just move people off the streets?

It is not illegal to be homeless and the City cannot force someone to move due to constitutional protections and court rulings. However, OCPD does have the authority to issue citations or arrest people who are engaged in criminal behavior. For example, possession of an open container of alcohol or drinking in public, (OCMC 9.12.010), public urination or defecation, (OCMC 9.12.030), Trespass II, (ORS 164.245), and Disorderly Conduct, (ORS 166.025), are considered prohibited or illegal. If you observe these or other illegal behaviors, please call the Police non-emergency line at 503-655-8211 which is available 24/7. When you see criminal activity, please call 911.

Oregon City's homeless population seems to be growing. How many people are homeless in our community?

Clackamas County performs a Point in Time Count of people who are unsheltered every other year, as directed by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Unsheltered is defined as sleeping outdoors, in camps, on the street, in vehicles, or in abandoned buildings or sheds. The most recent count was done in January 2019, which revealed an increase of 9% from 2017 for those experiencing homelessness. Oregon City had the highest number of homeless at 306 and Clackamas had the second highest number of homeless with 138; less than half of the number of those living in Oregon City. To learn more about the Point in Time Count visit the Clackamas County Homelessness page.

I have something I want to donate to the homeless. What is the best way to make donations or volunteer?

Father's Heart Ministry in Oregon City provides daily services and meals and accepts gently used and laundered clothing donations, sleeping bags, blankets, and certain food items. Visit the Immediate Needs list to learn about current needs, or the Volunteer page to learn about volunteer opportunities.

What can be done with abandoned shopping carts in my neighborhood?

In an effort to minimize losses in cart inventory due to stolen property and to prevent assessed fines through City ordinances, the Northwest Grocery Association has teamed with NW Cart Retrieval Service. They have taken a proactive approach and developed a solution to the growing problem of abandoned shopping carts. Visit the North West Carts website to report abandoned carts in your area.

View All

Homeless Response

Resource Connections

Implementing Programs & Funding for Change

Goal Setting

Limits of Enforcement and Case Law

FAQs

Contact Us

Quick Links

Site Links