Portland losing residents due to homeless camps and crime taking over daily life.

Portland, Oregon: A City in Decline

Once a thriving metropolis, Portland, Oregon is now facing a troubling decline in population. The city has been grappling with rising crime rates, a surge in homelessness, and the emergence of encampments as key factors contributing to this exodus.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Portland experienced a population decrease of approximately 3% between 2020 and 2022, making it the sixth-largest decline among the nation’s 50 largest cities. Furthermore, the entire state of Oregon witnessed a decline in population during the same period.

A Troubling Trend

Portland’s population began dwindling three years ago after a decade of steady growth. While the city did not make the U.S. Census Bureau’s list of the 15 fastest-declining cities in this year’s report, it did feature on the list from July 2020 to July 2021.

The Impact of Crime

Crime is believed to be a significant factor in Portland’s population decline, as the city has experienced a surge in criminal activities in recent years. Shockingly, shooting incidents have tripled from 2019 to 2022, with Portland’s Police Bureau reporting 1,309 incidents last year compared to just 413 nearly four years ago. Homicides have also skyrocketed from 36 in 2019 to a staggering 101 in the past year, making it the deadliest year in the city’s history.

The Homelessness Crisis

Another pressing issue contributing to the population loss is the prevalence of homeless encampments. The number of homeless individuals in Oregon has surged by 23% from 2020 to 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report.

In response to mounting pressure, Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler has taken steps to address the crisis. He recently updated the city’s camping codes, implementing a new daytime camping ban between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. This ban prohibits camps in specific areas such as parks, sidewalks near schools, construction sites, and other designated spaces.

“We must continue to develop workable and compassionate solutions to connect people with the services they need to escape homelessness,” Mayor Wheeler stated in a recent press release.

These encampment updates coincide with a class action lawsuit filed by Portlanders with mobility disabilities. The lawsuit accused the city of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and the federal Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide equal sidewalk access due to the presence of tents. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, further highlighting the need for change.

“I firmly believe that everyone should have unimpeded access to sidewalks for safe navigation, especially individuals with mobility challenges,” Mayor Wheeler emphasized in an email statement to the Washington Examiner.

As Portland grapples with these complex issues, it remains to be seen how the city will address the population decline and work towards a brighter future.

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