"From relative stability in an established community, to being repeatedly swept on the streets of Multnomah County, unhoused residents formerly living in the Sandy River Delta highlight a breakdown in the fight to address homelessness. A community of over 30 people was swept out of what's known as the Thousand Acres recreation zone on October 1, after a previous attempt in June included an incident of Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) contractors pepper spraying multiple people, including a bystander."
"DSL says the removals are necessary to restore the area and prevent further environmental degradation. The former residents are now struggling to survive on the streets of Multnomah County. Among the dozens of people displaced were some who had lived at the wilderness site for years. Some say they were told to go to Thousand Acres by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office years ago."
More than 30 unhoused residents were removed from the Thousand Acres recreation zone on October 1, following an earlier June attempt that involved pepper spraying by contractors. The Oregon Department of State Lands says removals aim to restore the area and prevent environmental damage. Many displaced people had lived at the wilderness site for years and now struggle to survive on Multnomah County streets. Some residents say they were previously directed to Thousand Acres by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, which denies directing people there but acknowledges the area was known as relatively unbothered since at least 2017.
Read at Portland Mercury
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