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Despite its many “green” policies, the Portland region is attempting to solve its homelessness crisis by creating rather than reusing public resources. In response, Cascade Policy Institute’s latest report offers straightforward solutions that use public resources more effectively. Publicly-owned and operated buildings should serve as homeless shelters to eliminate the need for illegal camping. Homeless people need shelter and buildings such as the Portland Expo Center have the space.
The Expo Center has never generated much revenue and the property has capital needs that are not in the budget. This makes it a great candidate for Metro’s recent Supportive Housing Services funds, which can redevelop the Expo Center into a massive amount of shelter space. This 330,000 square foot building sits on 53 acres of land. At 100 square feet per person, the exhibition space alone could shelter thousands of people. The kitchen, restaurant, meeting rooms, and other flexible space can easily provide the services emergency shelters need. Finally, the massive parking areas that surround the building can serve as efficient outdoor shelters for tents or vehicles.
To solve the homelessness crisis, readily available opportunities, such as the Expo Center, must be activated as shelter space.
I’m Vlad Yurlov from Cascade Policy Institute, Oregon’s free market think-tank.

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