Willamette Week The need for strong, independent local journalism is more urgent than ever. Please support the city we love by joining Friends of Willamette Week. Emotions Well Up in a Debate Over How to Best Help Portland’s Homeless Being flush with money brings problems, and city and county leaders are fighting over how to best use their share of the money that metro-area voters approved last May. Local officials are split on how best to aid people living on Portland streets. (Wesley Lapointe) Updated May 12 By now, no one is surprised when an argument about how to address homelessness in Portland spurs high emotions and harsh words. It’s more unusual for a public hearing to leave an elected official in tears.