Proposed Houseless Village
Individual conversations on social media are not the best use of our time, the most effective way to spread the word, or the most reliable communication modality. As we see our neighbors concerns on social media, we will respond to them here on this page. This is the most reasonable avenue and will protect against confusion that arises when partial conversations are deleted, etc….
“Houseless Village”
The City of Portland is attempting to relocate an unsanctioned houseless village from the Overlook neighborhood to the heart of St. Johns.
Opinions differ within our community about this project and how it should unfold. The issues among us are not about whether we should band together to help. Instead, the contentious sub-topics are specific to the proposed location, how the proposed project is being managed, and the discrepancies/widespread misinformation coming from the planners. Many are passionate in their concerns and others are passionate in their support.
The St. Johns Neighborhood Association Board of Directors, along with a significant percentage of our membership, hold the position that this project is not being done responsibly and that the suggested location is problematic. We are anxious to partner with the planners to assist in responsible project planning and responsible village relocation. We seek to partner with the City to identify suitable locations for this project. We do not believe this band-aid of a proposal will solve or help the situation. Instead, it’s moving a situation from one place to another.
We do not believe compassion must be blind. We are not against a transitional housing community in St. Johns. We are against this site and this poorly planned project. We hope we can work together, bridge the divide, and help those who need it without damaging our community.
And fear that the mentality surrounding this is not progressive, it has morphed into a blind yet empty feel good project for regressive leftists who are not considering the many aspects and domino-effect outcomes that will likely occur from the lack of proper planning and community buy in.
WE ALL SEEM TO AGREE THAT…
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We can and should help those in need and help our houseless community members without harming the housed.
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There is a growing homeless crisis with no signs of it lessening. Cities and neighborhoods need to work together to explore options and avenues to assistance. We must do so responsibly to not compound the issues at hand or create new issues along the way.
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We all love our neighborhood and want what’s best for the future of St. Johns and our community members.
OPPONENTS TO THIS LOCATION - VIEWS:
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They are against paying thousands of dollars to develop private land and then pay monthly rent on it instead of spending our tax dollars on government-owned land. They know that SJCC can do what they'd like, but our community should have a say in how tax dollars are spent.
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The location borders on two preschools and is adjacent to James John Elementary School
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The location is at the entryway to the St. Johns Business District
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Bachelors
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OPPONENTS TO HOW THIS PROJECT IS BEING MANAGED - VIEWS:
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No community impact assessment
THOSE WHO WANT MORE INFORMATION FROM THE PLANNERS ARE CONCERNED THAT:
SUPPORTERS OF THIS LOCATION - VIEWS:
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SJCC can rent their land to whomever they'd like
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They believe the argument against this location is privileged and elitist and those attitudes have a negative emotional impact on houseless community members
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Children should be exposed to these realities and it is a positive to have this bordering on our schools.
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They believe the opposition thinks homeless people are innately dangerous to children
SUPPORTERS TO HOW THIS PROJECT IS BEING MANAGED - VIEWS:
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They are not concerned about the messaging, ambuguity, communication or project management
HOSE WHO WANT MORE INFORMATION FROM THE PLANNERS ARE CONCERNED THAT: