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Oregon has the highest proportion of homeless people in the nation, according to a new report on homelessness issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In Oregon, 0.54 percent of all residents were homeless in 2008, a higher share than any other state, according to HUD’s 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.
States with the highest proportions of homelessness tend to be on or near the West Coast. Nevada had the second-highest rate of homelessness, with 0.48 percent, followed by Hawaii at 0.47 percent, California at 0.43 percent and Washington at 0.34 percent.
The report found that 664,000 people nationally were homeless on a single night in January 2008, down about 1 percent from the prior year’s census. HUD calculated there were nearly 1.3 million homeless adults during the year.
One-fifth of all the nation’s homeless were in three metro areas: Los Angeles, New York and Detroit.
One in every 66 people living in major U.S. cities used a residential homeless program during the period studied, compared to one in every 450 people living in suburban and rural areas.
However, there was a sizable increase in the number of homeless in suburban and rural areas in the past year. In the 2007 study, 23 percent of documented homeless people were staying in suburban and rural areas. In 2008, those areas accounted for 32 percent of the homeless population.
Data for the report was compiled through September 2008, just as the economic crisis was intensifying.
It folllows Oregon's anti-business model. Oregon has never been realistic in it's goal's of creating real jobs. It's just the state and local government taking care of their own government jobs, creating the "phoney green job's" etc. and just paying lip service to the ignorant tax paying public who'll believe any heap of crap that's served to them. Oh, and love the "stimulis package"--NOT! People can't live on riding their stupid bikes around and drinking coffee drinks they can't afford. Also, what's up with the cheesy outfits the groovey biker's wear? I thought spandex went out in the eighties. 4' 5" men need to find a better way to show their manhood. Why don't they wear normal clothes and donate the money they save to our homeless population.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 12:00 AM
I love how the Tribune comments have degraded so bad now as to generally be either a platform to spew bitter right wing ideology (see comment #1) or crass, directionless rants peppered with obsessive hatred towards bicycle riders or 'hipsters' (see comment #2). Seriously - it's like one or the other most of the time now with no attempt at even bothering discussing the article, anymore.
I swear it's the same one or two guys EVERY time commenting repeatedly and it's a shame because it chases away a lot of intelligent opinions out there. Voices of the people that might actually address the issues and suggest constructive criticism.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 03:19 AM
holy cow! why wouldnt we lead the nation in homeless population? this is homeless heaven here in portland oregon. it is the cancun of the homeless world. all the programs the can sign up for, all the shelters, the tolerance of the populous, they can beg on the streets with no repercutions, and all the free food they can eat, and of course there's the drugs on the streets not to mention the booze. there is no accountability needed for all the charity and there are really no programs in place to rid our city of these people. i know if i was homeless this is where i would want to be.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 07:22 AM
Wow, what a bunch of hate filled comments. I've been homeless in Portland and it's not easy to get out of it. Most homeless people aren't there because they are "lazy" They're there because they are mentally ill, or lost a job and can't pay rent, or have addiction issues. I hope you remember your "kill em all" policy if someone you love ends up on the streets due to mental problems that there are no programs for, or if you loose your job and can't pay the rent. The true decay of our society is the lack of simple compassion for each other. Way to go.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 07:39 AM
Editorial response:
I've been living here for about a year now and as an outsider looking in and trying to do business here this is one of the worst business friendly cities I can imagine. We call Portland 'Little France' at work because the work ethic is horrible, and nobody tries too hard and it's all about time off. Does anyone work hard any more?
My jobs pay on average $20 an hour and I've got good people working for me who tell me my wages are only slightly better than what they were getting on unemployment. The reason they work now is for the health care.
I'm middle of the road on my politics, but Portland is an example of what too much of anything does. Too far left you get this anti business stagnant model which is Portland, too far right and we've seen that model too.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 09:49 AM
So let me see if I get this right; If you/I have strong conservative beliefs and opinions I/we are considered right wing wackos?? Also if I was an armed guard and still have my duty gun that would make me a terrorist RIGHT??? Mr./Mrs. Idiocracy
My condolences "Pj" I had a simular experience back in 1973 broken family grand father died the cost to take care of every thing made stuff difficult for allmost a year my mom went in to see if she coulg get food stamps to help cover us for a while 6-12 months there response was you make $5.00 to much get fired, live in your car or have another kid but hold on it gets better a black lady in full lingth fur with gold and diamonds around her neck wrists and fingers driving a maybe a one year old cady SHE got her food stamps!!!
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 09:51 AM
I think I'm the only person hiring in this city right now for manufacturing jobs. Here is what I've seen so far:
- The City inspector who I need to move forward on each stage of my project works about 3 days a week and isn't afraid to tell me that.
- I get taxed like crazy. I'm trying to compete against plants in the South and East and getting killed because the labor rates are so high. The state keeps passing tax increases on business. Does ANYBODY realize that "evil" businesses like me are the people who create jobs and get rid of homelessness? You keep doing this I will have to shut down and go to Texas with the rest of them. And I don't want to.
- The supporting businesses that are critical to my success for some ungodly reason don't seem to act like they want my business. It's this strange "capitalism is dead in Portland" vibe I get. I have no idea how people earn money in this town.
- When are people going to figure out that business is not evil. Businesses are ordinary people like me but as soon as I'm in charge suddenly I'm painted as some guy who is going to nuke the planet.
Wake up Portland.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 10:06 AM
what does her being black have anything to do with it? recognize racism coming from your own mouth please.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Awesome! Number 1 in homeless, number 2 in unemployment! Just shows you how successful the Progressive liberals are with their programs of redistributing the wealth of the hard working middle class! Now they want to raise our taxes so that they can continue to hand out more of our hard earned money! We need to vote them all out of office, all those "Political Elites" who want to force their bankrupt philosophy upon us.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Another reason why socialism doesn't work....but unfortunately Oregon has been Californicated just enough that common sense no longer holds sway in our political system.
Liberals believe THE BIG LIE - which is; that government is the sole solution for what ails mankind.
Liberals are at the helm now and America is slowly being destroyed by people that have no clue how evil and clueless they are.
(email verified)
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 09:05 PM
In Oregon our Local Governments excel at working to limit individual opportunity, why don't we ever talk about that? We have roads and bridges that do not meet demand, and more importantly limit income opportunity, not just in capacity, but lack of maintenance. Our natural resources are our greatest asset yet we let the federal government limit access to public lands with punitive laws that limit income opportunities for taxpayers. We are now concentrating on attracting the right "kind" on business - Green Business - here and we have no idea of the economic outcomes, or impacts. We "plan" who will be moving here in 20-30 or 40 years, yet we let current residents pay for what might come to pass. We also "plan" how we separate the middle, and lower income socio-income groups from the rest of the population. Like one commenter said great, #1 in Homelessness, and #2 in Unemployment - wow I am sure impressed by the incompetence of the electorate - us - for letting this happen.
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Re: Oregon leads nation in homeless count
what does her being black have anything to do with it? recognize racism coming from your own mouth please.
"Pj"
Hey PJ: Sometimes racism goes both ways...ever go to a "MICKEY D'S lately?
The attitude is rapidly becoming "screw you"GRINGO,VIVA LA RAZA!"
Finally as I waited to get my ordered translated, the headline on the USA TODAY was RECESSION IN US, ALSO HURTING MEXICO!" can you really believe what diversity has done.
Some of us are homeless,but some of us hav been pushed out, and it's time we push back...look at California, they will soon be broke...a whole state broke....and then you watch the homeless come here for services that have gone to people for to long now that didn't deserve them, and those that are homeless and mentally ill..WON'T GET THEM
Call me racist, nope...I have a couple of Latino friends that are now US citizens, and they are waking up as well.
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 09:22 AM
At the root of the homeless condition in Portland and Oregon is an unhealthy codependent relationship. The first priority of the bureaucrat is to maintain, if not grow, the bureaucracy. Labeling the ‘Will Nots and the ‘Do Nots’ as ‘Have Nots’ or ‘Can Nots’ is insulting to the notion that people want to live free and independent as they propel their way to the destiny of their choice under their own steam.
What kind of a New Era Of Responsibility is it wherein the government/bureaucracy makes the most of the communities crisis?
Bureaucrats are scared to death of those who live successful, conscientious and independent lives and there are more of us then the bureaucracy can herd. The ‘Will Nots’ and ‘Do Nots’ are willing poster children for the bureaucracy. Worse, the ‘Will Nots’ and ‘Do Nots’ lend negative stigma to any who truly need assistance. The bureaucrat, ‘Will Not’, ‘Do Not’, insist that no one is independent and an unbreakable chain holds our lives and destinies together.
It won’t be long before Adult Onset Colic will render a disability cheque instead of a reality check and the government will happily spend billions on research and development.
Heaven forbid that the homeless sweep streets or rake leaves in the park for their food and shelter until they can get on their feet. SEIU503 would have a fit and what if a homeless person got a sliver or muscle cramp while working for what they were getting? In come the lawyers.
Oregon and Portland should stop calling themselves ‘Progressive’ if they won’t take the kind of stance with homelessness that they takes with environmental issues.
The individual does not want to be poor or struggling. The bureaucracy does not want the individual to make the most of himself or herself first, by their own best and continued effort, before approaching the public trough for assistance. While the bureaucracy needs poster children, a strong, healthy and vibrant community needs to be comprised of strong, healthy and vibrant individuals.
The Civilian Conservation Corp failed because it was never meant to be a revolving door program for those who administered it, much less for those who where housed by it. Like so many other government/bureaucratic entities, the CCC is an example of how inept and parasitic government management is. Throwing more money at a growing government will only make things worse.
While the private sector still exists, it could do itself and the community a huge favor through non-profit and faith based organizations. Merit based programs designed to empower willing people towards independence will help dispel the lie of perpetual dependence on government bureaucracy.
Ironic that ‘Tough Love’ seems to be an archaic ideal. Coincidence that as a community organizer the leader of the free world may have demonstrated that the best approach to downsizing government bureaucracy through community organizing.
If Oregon and Portland are going to continue an indiscriminate feeding of strays, the ensuing feral community should come as no surprise.
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 10:17 AM
So much for maintaining livability as our population and consumption grow along with expansion of our built environments.
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 02:49 PM
This is because we keep catering to them, like they are something desirable to have around - instead of rousting and ousting. They have to be somewhere... but why here?
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 03:18 PM
I'm puzzled! How does "Dodge Ram"'s comments have a thing
to do with this particular report? Sounds to me like just
a directionless rant that further beclouds the issue that
is at hand...a very serious HOMELESSNESS problem! If one
must write, please let's try to make some sense. Thanks!
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Much homelessness exists because it is reinforced and supported by the programs that exist supposedly to assist the homeless. Rather than support homelessness, programs need to be developed to combat homelessness. As an example, giving money to the panhandler does not eliminate panhandling, but instead reinforces panhandling. The same applies when homelessness is rewarded.
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Hay "Pj" I don't know how long you have been here in this cesspool "oops sorry" this city but I have been here sense 1966 born here thank you, but back in 1973ish the mexicans, asians, eastern europeans... collectively were less than 5% I think so the main population was white and the second was black and she was not white or the other races that I listed so that makes her what??? BTY if you have talked to any most don't like the PC BS I also had BLACK friends growing up and they prefer the descriptive term BLACK just like my BFF he likes the term INDIAN NOT NATIVE AMERICACAN so when I say she was a black lady it is a descriptive term NOT RACISM. Pull your head out of the liberal cool aid.
Thanks Jack Peek but it looks like us "old school" types with our old school speech really gets the liberal panties in a bunch.
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 09:29 PM
Lets here it for Oregon. The state that business dont have to pay any meaningful taxes. I mean didnt Intel pay a miserable 7 bucks in state taxes in 004. The hard fact conservatives is this: corporations have a minimum state tax here of about a paltry 20 bucks. And in exchange for this paltry sum.........the provide the state with the lowest employment rate, and the lowest wages on the entire west coast. If you want to ramble on about the stats........check the department of labor about wages. Now isnt it interesting that these fat cats say the windfall isnt enough......way to go there Gods Country or so you call this place.....Yah laid a big EGG......Oregon leads the nation in homeless to boot. Lets see now, among the highest in unemployment, the lowest wages on the west coast, and the most homeless in the nation. Hey Oregon, three strikes and your definately out.
(email verified)
Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 10:18 PM
"- When are people going to figure out that business is not evil. Businesses are ordinary people like me but as soon as I'm in charge suddenly I'm painted as some guy who is going to nuke the planet."
Sorry, we only support big companies here in Oregon. Come back with more lobbying money, and we'll give you a listen.
(email verified)
Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 10:14 AM
"working stiff" - your argument looks wonderful, but you forgot something important. The Oregon Employees of Intel all pay Oregon Income Tax. Oregon doesn't have to have Intel, or any other business located here at all, so i guess my question is: "How can we afford to pay income taxes as individuals at all, if we have no employers using local labor, to manufacture and distribute goods and services?" Why penalize a business with punitive taxes when they don't have to locate here at all? Freightliner is leaving, and no longer manufactures trucks here because of attitudes such as yours, what do you say to that?
(email verified)
Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 04:36 PM
why does this NOT surprise me ? ?
what happened to getting up & going to work ?
is the economy bad ? yes, but we have made a bad situation worse by adding MORE taxes on those individuals & companies who are already paying the majority of the taxes.
MANY people in portland ( NOT all ) ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT/FOCUSED ON THEIR TIME OFF/VACATION TIME RATHER THAN THEIR JOB.
our elected officials are focused on " bike lockers " ! !
i have nothing against bike lockers or bikes but, how is this going to help our economy ? ?
seriously, let's write a tax code that encourages businesses/employers to MOVE TO portlad rather than MOVING OUT of portland/oregon.
cheers ~
(email verified)
Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 08:42 AM
I find it funny how people who have never owned a business are so anti-business.Yes,I pay my 20.00 corparation tax on March 15th.I also pay payroll taxes,social security tax of 6.2% matching ,city taxes,trimet taxes.All my well paid employees pay taxes,spend in the cities etc..Keep thinking we're evil.Where are you going to get your revenue for all those great toys ?
(email verified)
Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 03:34 PM
What company? I'll send a resume! I have an old fashioned work ethic, values etc. for someone who truly pays a fair wage.
To: "The Nail Spitter"
Well stated. You and "Capitalism" have shown there is @ least a small number of intelligence life forms left here.
One comment above stated what should be obvious to all, but they are blinded. Sadly, they don't even realize they have blinders on, but our woes are because we made government our god. It's the faith based organizations that have failed to do their job. They are all 501(c)3 wimps for Jesus & now take a back seat.
(email verified)
Wed, Jul 15, 2009 at 10:13 AM
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Re: Oregon leads nation in homeless count
Hay Governor Ted "tax and gouge me" we are number one in some thing WE are leading the way LETS KEEP IT UP!!!
I'm sure if we keep trying we can be number one in unemployment and number one in high taxs and number one in welfare hand outs to every one even illegal aliens!!!
"Dodge Ram"
(email verified)
Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 10:28 PM