LIFE ON THE STREETS

Portland’s homeless begin to organize

By Noah Bruce

It appears that some changes are afoot at the Oxford Street Shelter. According to resident Chris O’ Keefe, shelter director Peter Murdoch has created a new forum for clients to air their grievances. Despite the Client Assessment Special Needs Committee’s wordy title, its operation appears rather simple. The committee consists of Murdoch, several shelter residents including O’Keefe, and homeless advocates from the Preble Street Resource Center. The Committee will meet once a week to discuss problems that clients are having with the shelter.

In addition, Michael Stoops, a community activist with the Washington-based National Coalition for the Homeless, who has worked on homeless issues for over 30 years (see Is Anybody Listening?, March 2), was in town to meet with Portland’s homeless March 13 at the Preble Street Resource Center. About 25 people participated in a round table discussion that focused mainly on problems at the Oxford Street Shelter. Residents complained about conditions at the shelter and poor treatment at the hands of shelter staff.

“There are only 12 cots for 35 women,” says Ruth Rader.

“I was thrown out of the shelter in the cold for 45 minutes because the staff thought my laugh was annoying,” says Weston Hurd.

O’Keefe was concerned about nighttime staff who are not available to assure safety because they “sleep through their shifts.”

Stoops listened to all the concerns, then suggested that clients create a letter listing ten demands and have as many clients as possible sign the letter. Stoops stressed that collectively homeless people can have a strong voice in the city.

“I think homeless people can solve their own problems,” he said. “They have more power than they realize. If 20 people want to change a rule [at the shelter] they can do something.”

While no direct action has yet come from the meeting, the fact that Murdoch created the committee and Portland’s homeless are organizing to discuss their issues proves there is some momentum for positive change in the lives of Portland’s homeless.