Campsite cleanup on state highway property in Portland returns to ODOT management

ODOT has announced that it will no longer fund the City of Portland’s Impact Reduction Program (IRP) for managing campsite removals on state properties, leading to reduced service levels. The expiration of the funding agreement on June 30, 2025, resulted from a failure to pass a key transportation bill in the Oregon State Legislature. As a consequence, Portlanders can anticipate an increase in camping and debris along local highways. The city’s online reporting tool for camps on ODOT properties will become inactive, and individuals may experience longer wait times for removals. New procedures for camps on ODOT property include a 10-day advance warning for removals, differing from city policies.

Those in No Trespass zones will receive a minimum 24-hour notice before cleanup. Campers should seek information from ODOT crews or call for personal property retrieval instructions, as collected items will not go to city storage but to a Clackamas location. This shift underscores the ongoing challenges in managing homelessness and campsite removals in Portland.