Despite growing concerns from Oregon residents about the state’s homelessness crisis, Oregon Democrats have proposed a bill aimed at decriminalizing camping in public spaces.
Oregon House Bill 3501, titled the Right to Rest Act, asserts that homeless individuals have a right to privacy and a reasonable expectation of privacy in their property, even if it is located in public spaces.
Moreover, the bill permits homeless people to sue for up to $1,000 if they are “harassment” or are told to move from their location.
The legislation states “persons experiencing homelessness” will “be permitted to use public spaces in the same manner as any other person without discrimination based on their housing status.”
It further states that individuals have the right to “move freely in public spaces without discrimination and time limitations that are based on housing status.”
This controversial bill comes on the heels of a significant spike in homelessness across Oregon in 2022, as reported by Oregon Public Radio.
In the midst of this crisis, Portland’s population has experienced a decline for the first time in 30 years, according to census data. The city has seen a 0.04% decrease in population over the past three years, while Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office reported a 50% increase in homelessness between 2019 and 2022.
Related: Portland’s Homeless Problem is So Bad that Residents with Disabilities Are Suing the City
Democratic State Rep. Farrah Chaichi, the sponsor of the Right to Rest Act, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, expressed support for the bill, stating that homeless individuals should not lose their legal and constitutional rights when they lose their housing.
Jones told KATU 2 ABC, “Most of the advocate community in the state really want to establish a constitutional right to exist, and I am very sympathetic with that position.”
The proposed Right to Rest Act has generated significant backlash on social media.
Clackamas County, OR Commissioner, Ben West, tweeted:
“We need to help people experiencing homelessness by treating the root causes of their situation, not incentivizing and enabling the behavior, which is all HB 3501 will do.”
Kevin Dahlgren, City of Gresham employee and homeless advocate claims the bill is “madness” and “backwards thinking.”
People for Portland are pushing back. The organization tweeted: “First give the homeless $1000 a month. Then legalize public camping statewide. Then green light lawsuits by the homeless against property owners. All brought to you by Oregon legislators. Take action here.”
One can only imagine how this bill would impact business owners and residents already plagued with out of control theft, drug use and a swiftly rising homeless population.