Dealing With Homeless Populations: The Portland Model of Public-Private Partnerships (From Police and the Homeless: Creating a Partnership Between Law Enforcement and Social Service Agencies in the Development of Effective Policies and Programs, P 216-227, 1997, Martin L. Forst, ed. - See NCJ-167769

• NCJ Number: 167782
• Author(s): R A DeGraff
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses how the business community worked with the public sector to alleviate homelessness in Portland's (Oregon) commercial area.

Abstract

The Association for Portland Progress (APP), a nonprofit downtown business association, and the city government designed a plan to address the issue of homelessness. The plan hired homeless persons as part of a crew responsible for cleaning downtown streets and sidewalks. They were paid minimum wage, and received health insurance, vacation and sick leave. Crew members were required to report to work every day on time, clean and sober; failure to comply led to discipline, including possible dismissal. In the 10 years since the program started with city money, dozens of individuals have graduated into private sector jobs. In addition to providing jobs and training opportunities, APP also took on an advocacy role, and succeeded in getting assistance for many homeless persons from the Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Division. The Association helped to train and deploy guides and uniformed and armed patrol officers to report suspicious or potentially illegal activity, creating a law enforcement presence on the streets and becoming an adjunct to security patrols and the Portland Police in managing street disorder. Notes