Category Homelessness
Effort backed by Mayor Hoy to make homeless camp sweeps easier advances
Oregon law requires homeless camp removal be “objectively reasonable.” An initiative petition seeking to change that got a step closer to the November 2026 ballot.
New Trump administration policies on homelessness ask Salem providers to follow methods they say don’t work
A Trump administration shift in homelessness policy would prioritize shelters that require drug treatment and work with immigration authorities, with a preference for funding new programs over existing ones. Salem providers said the changes would be “catastrophic.”
Hoy claims statewide petition to remove standards for homeless sweeps is about ‘local control,’ not criminalization
Over the course of an hour during a recent city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 27, over a dozen Salem residents questioned Mayor Julie Hoy’s decision to lead a statewide effort to repeal a state law that sets standards for when and how cities and counties can move homeless encampments. Hoy maintained that the petition doesn’t relate to encampment sweeps.
COLUMN: I run a shelter. Here’s why people can’t always stay in them.
Columnist Lynelle Wilcox, who runs the Safe Sleep United shelter, shares stories from her day-to-day work with homeless Salemites.
Salem police chief wants more help from county, state to address unsheltered homelessness
Several top law enforcement officials stressed during a Wednesday panel discussion that they can’t simply arrest homeless people to get them off the streets.
REPORTER’S COLUMN: UGM conversation illuminates forgotten Salem backyard trolley
Reporter Abbey McDonald spent a few hours talking to people in the lobby of the Union Gospel Mission. Among them was a longtime Salem resident who once had a working trolley system in his backyard.
A unique downtown medical clinic works to care for homeless patients’ long-term needs
Northwest Human Services has expanded its hours at a drop-in medical clinic in downtown Salem, and is seeing more people than ever before. Many of the incoming patients have injuries or illnesses caused by a lack of shelter or inadequate shoes.
Church at the Park will shelter fewer people, lay off staff due to state budget cuts
Church at the Park is reducing the amount of spots at its young adult shelter and laid off 16 people due to a $2 million budget cut from the state this year.
Simonka Place expands with more space for families
The Salem area's largest shelter for women and families is getting space for 40 new residents along with space for child care.