Pearl District residents say homeless shelter impacts are minimal so far

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A week after Portland’s newest low-barrier overnight shelter opened on NW Northrup Street, some Pearl District residents said they are not happy, but the effects are not as bad as they expected.One big gripe for residents is that some tents are a few blocks away from the shelter near the interstate.“A city sidewalk along a street that runs under I-405 is something that the city can sweep,” Linda Whipp with the Pearl District Neighborhood Association said. “But those rough sidewalks that run the whole length of 16th. We understand from an email I just got 10 minutes ago that those cannot be swept by the city. So, you know, it might be months before they’re swept by ODOT because ODOT doesn’t have the funding.”A City of Portland spokesperson confirmed they cannot conduct law enforcement on ODOT properties.Across the neighborhood, residents said living near the shelter in the first week is not so bad. Sharon Callen said she did not even know it…..

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