Homeless migrating to Portland

You say people are flocking to Portland - people say the same in other cities. Poor people travel based on different cirumstances, but to say people are flocking to Portland does nothing for your cause and backs up the idea that people flock to Portland for services when those same services are provided in every other city. Where's your facts?

yes, i witnessed police in frisco putting a man on a bus out of town.

We live in a world of numbers. I know! But sometimes you have to read the words too. When a man who has been homeless for three years notices that there are a lot more people in line, and when he stands in line for hours each week talking to these people, he hears facts, confabulations, rants, metaphorical truths, and downright lies. Whether what his report says is statistically true, the thrum of disatisfaction he is reporting on, something thoroughly unquantifiable, is true in the minds of those whose grumbling he is repeating. That is the story, and he is its conduit, so that pampered souls in warm offices, like me, don't have to stand in lines of cold/wet/unhappy citizens to hear the buzz. I can turn to the Oregonian or the Tribune, or any number of governmental databases available online if I want cold, hard facts.

The homeless and poor of Redding and Shasta County are facing a terrible crisis, with the problem growing to epidemic proportions. Seems as though the Good News Rescue Mission, the largest supplier of charitably prepared meals and lodging in Redding, with over a million dollar operating budget, is facing a lawsuit from local home owners in the area, accusing them of drawing the down and out to a neighborhood that prefers to think of itself as up and coming. The mission's administrative answer is to increase its restrictions on who may or may not be served meals and service, with a dramatic increase of the poor and destitute being restricted and "banned" from the most basic necessities of life, ( food, shelter, showers, etc...) Furthermore, the desire of the administration of the rescue mission is to circulate this "banned" list to other charitable Christian organizations who provide similar services, fully expecting them to also deny services to those who need it most...Hoping they simply leave..........

What has already been the result of this measure ? Redding Loaves and Fishes is seeing and hearing the stories of this unfortunate decision, with testimonials of those being banned, and the reasons why, approaching ludicrous. Redding Loaves and Fishes is already being over burdened with an increase of people in economic crisis. This new influx of the unwanted of the unwanted, threatens to destroy Redding Loaves and Fishes ministry......

No where did Jesus or His disciples , when distributing the miracle of the mulitplying loaves and fishes ,stop and say to any of them, "I cant feed you, your a sinner". When we turn those away, who need Jesus's love the most, we deny the Holy Spirit a chance to work through us, to give what is needed most, Faith, Hope, and Love...

Jesus compels us to immitate Him, and when Jesus says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you", we at Redding Loaves and Fishes, by the Grace of God, desire to do the same. We will not partake of, nor inforce this "banned " list. Why ? Jesus says, "When you do this to these the least of the breathern, you do it to Me." We will take and serve those "unwanted of the unwanted", in Jesus name.
 http://www.reddingloavesandfishes.com/

It sounds to me, like somebody needs to organize a legal answer to an "up and coming" community" who is failing to recognize everyone's right to move freely in any area, and denying them access to food, shelter and services by way of a simple "easement" through public property is egregious.

I wonder how they'd like it if somebody sued them for blocking the public thorough-fare, not by their physical bodies, but by their hateful attitudes and actions.

When I worked as a paralegal in Denver Colorado more than 8 years ago, I witnessed a dozen young (teen) prostitutes at the police station being given two options by officers: 30 days in jail or a one-way Greyhound bus ticket to Portland, Oregon. Most of them opted for the busride out. Yes, folks, it is true that many homeless and other people perceived as "undesirables" are sent to Portland, maybe also to other cities, from their own towns, to get rid of them, or when the authorities know that there are resources in Portland that their own cities do not have. And no, all cities are not alike in their offererings, or lack thereof, for the needy and the poorest of the poor. There are all kinds of inequitable and meanspirited laws that beat them down, and a huge lack of shelters, showers, meals, affordable basics, in many cities. It gets worse every day. Portland is considered one of the better places to be if you are in dire need. And even Portland sorely lacks the resources, along with a benevolent spirit. The whole country has become one of the Haves and the Have Nots, without much between. When it gets like that, there is much more disdain and lack of concern or love for those on the bottom of the economic heap. And you can take dat to da bank. It is cold, hard, realism. Fact.

I came to Portland from Colorado Springs, CO in September of 2007. The Homeless population here has doubled almost since that time. Yes, they come for the services! The biggest increase is amoung the young, called "Gutter Punks" who live in tribes, wear black leather have toatoos and body piercings, etc. Oh, and pitt bulls.

Colorado Springs 380,000 people vs Portland 580,000 has one Social Service Office.......for the whole county! They have one Social Security Office, One homeless shelter with only 50 beds, and one soup kitchen that serves only one meal /day. Yet in this city of Enangelical Christians, there are hundreds of homeless.

Portland has over 400 non-profits, multiple SS offices, and multiple offices for food stamps, etc. There is also tons of housing and multiple shelters. I know, cause I stayed in two for 5 months, now have permenent housing. Did I come here for the stuff......hell no I just wanted someplace other than Colorado. I am not sure what I would do though if I wasn't here.....camp in the woods?