TAKE ACTION: Demand Portland City Council Protect Unhoused People this Winter

The City of Portland recently announced that it will only open a warming shelter if the temperature drops below 15 degrees or there is over 10 inches of snow on the ground. This policy is cruel, irresponsible, and needs to change immediately. Despite misleading claims from the city, the Homeless Service Center has been FULL every night this past week. There are over 100 people who are sleeping outside every night in Portland.

We have the power to act right now to demand that this policy is changed. No one should be sleeping on the streets — the least the city can do is ensure that a warming shelter is open when the temperature drops below freezing. Without shelter or the ability to camp without being fined or arrested, our neighbors will suffer and die this winter. 

We are demanding  the Portland City Council take immediate action to:

1. Change the weather threshold of the Winter Warming Plan to require an emergency shelter when the temperature drops below freezing temperature (32 degrees)
2. Change the weather threshold of the Winter Warming Plan to require an emergency shelter when freezing rain or snow.
3. Decriminalize overnight camping and tents all winter. 

We need to take immediate action before it gets any colder.