Portland City Council Rejects Plan to Shift $4.3 Million From Homeless Camp Cleanup to Rent and Refugee Aid

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland City Council on Wednesday dismissed a proposal to redirect $4.3 million from the Impact Reduction Program (IRP) to support rent, food, and refugee assistance.

Funds for the $14.7 million annual IRP budget are used to dismantle homeless campsites and to remove trash from public spaces.

The proposal was made by Councilor Angelita Morillo, but failed after seven hours of heated debate and public testimony. Five Councilors voted in favor of the proposal, but seven votes were needed for it to succeed.

The heated debate highlighted a growing divisde between councilors and Mayor Keith Wilson, who was opposed to Morillo’s proposal. Wilson has promised to end unsheltered homelessness by providing hundreds of new shelter beds.