Scott Kerman News Today

The Supreme Court will decide if cities can implement laws that punish people for sleeping outside. Bishops oppose the ban, and Catholic agencies serving homeless populations shared concerns about the ruling's possible impact.

If the city is to compassionately enforce a ban on camping, it must heed the requirement that there be "reasonable alternative shelter," writes Scott Kerman, executive director of Blanchet House. But for those with disabilities, "reasonable" shelter can be very difficult to find.

A candidate running for the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners is defending lucrative contracts awarded to her husband by a community organization they both oversee. Jessie Burke, owner of the Society Hotel in downtown Portland, and Posies Café in North Portland, is a Multnomah County Commissioner candidate, as well as the board chair of the Old Town Community Association (OTCA). Her husband, Jonathan Cohen, serves as the treasurer for OTCA’s board. Last February, the OTCA...

According to the report, Oregon only has enough shelter beds for 42% of unhoused people.

On a single day, the PSU point in time count found 20,000 people were homeless in Oregon in early 2023.READ MORE | Homelessness in Oregon up 8.5% between 2022-2

On Thursday the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners could declare a 90-day emergency to address the fentanyl crisis.It's part of what Gov. Tina Kotek is cal

Scott Kerman’s column is appearing Sunday this week, in order that we can run this piece on the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at The Capitol in advance of the third

Across the street on Northwest 5th Avenue and Glisan Street is a new brick-and-mortar building for homeless people to store things during the day.

Staff at Northwest Pilot Project said demand is up about 30 percent compared to this time last year.The non-profit helps connect low-income seniors to affordabl

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! The day after the holiday is traditionally a time for shopping and gearing up for the Christmas season. For me, it’s a day to