RESOLUTION No. 36200 AS AMENDED

Designate a portion of the property known as Sunderland Yard at 9325 NE Sunderland Road as a campground under the terms of ORS 446.265 (Resolution)

WHEREAS, homelessness is an ongoing national dilemma with an estimated three million people sleeping outside at some time during any given year;

WHEREAS, in May of 2003, a study of the homeless within Portland counted 1,571 people sleeping outside or in vehicles in Portland;

WHEREAS, people who are homeless are more likely to become victims of violent crime and homeless women are significantly more vulnerable to sexual assault than are housed women;

WHEREAS, a 2003 report ranked Portland as the 7th most dangerous city in the country for homeless people;

WHEREAS, Portland’s publicly funded year round homeless shelters have permanent waiting lists;

WHEREAS, because of the lack of shelter space and affordable permanent housing, many people in Portland have no practical alternative to sleeping outside;

WHEREAS, due to the on-going shortages of adequate shelter space and affordable permanent housing, the transitional housing accommodations provided by Dignity Village are used by persons who lack permanent shelter, and who have not been placed into low-income housing;

WHEREAS, Dignity Village has legally incorporated itself as a not for profit entity with a democratically elected system of governance that administers day-to-day operations and discipline among the community;

WHEREAS, Dignity Village is as an independently developed proposal from the homeless;

WHEREAS, Dignity Village has provided a safe alternative to sleeping outside for the homeless within Portland;

WHEREAS, in addition to basic services like kitchens, bathrooms and telephones, Dignity Village provides residents with job training opportunities, continuing education opportunities, healthcare, housing placement assistance and a supportive environment in which homeless people are able to address the issues that led to them becoming homeless;

WHEREAS, the land that Dignity Village proposes to occupy is located along an established public transportation line, which provides access to groceries, other commercial stores and potential job opportunities;

WHEREAS, local religious organizations, schools, philanthropists, architects, and others have coalesced to help Dignity Village develop into a functioning community with a positive vision for the future;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Portland designates approximately one acre in the southeast corner of the property known as Sunderland Yard at 9325 NE Sunderland Road, Tax Lot 100 1N1E12B (Tax Account R-315196), as shown on the attached Exhibit A, as a campground under the terms of ORS 446.265;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Portland will negotiate the terms of an agreement with Dignity Village for it to occupy City of Portland owned property.

Adopted by the Council: February 26, 2004      GARY BLACKMER

Auditor of the City of Portland

Prepared by:  Marshall Runkel        By /S/ Susan Parsons

                     Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 177-2004

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36200 as amended