Councilor Smith Calls for Fairness and Action in Addressing Homelessness

Councilor Loretta Smith of District 1 criticized Mayor Wilson's recent call for donations to support homelessness solutions in Portland. She argued that it is unjust to expect marginalized residents, who are already struggling with rising living costs, to contribute financially. Smith highlighted that the city has already allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to address homelessness, suggesting that the reliance on voluntary donations is disheartening. She called for a more strategic and systemic approach to solving the issue, emphasizing the need for funding from the city's budget rather than additional burdens on residents. Smith dismissed the suggestion that President Trump would deploy the National Guard in Portland over a lack of donations, calling it "ridiculous.

" She asserted that pouring more money into an already overfunded problem is not effective. Smith's comments reflect a growing concern among local officials regarding the adequacy of current homelessness strategies. With an approved city budget of $8. 5 billion, she believes there is potential for real change if resources are allocated responsibly.