Resolution 2024-11: Housing as a Human Right

The Democratic Party of Clackamas County Resolution 2024-11: 

Housing as a Human Right  

WHEREAS the Democratic Party of Clackamas County (DPCC) acts to advance housing as a human right and justice for unsheltered community members; and   

WHEREAS we support creating and maintaining personal and family stability and improving community integration of unsheltered residents; and 

 WHEREAS encampment sweeps traumatize unsheltered people and force them to relocate, which sometimes results with them moving to sensitive natural areas, where any human habitation can be devastating to that environment; and  

WHEREAS the Supreme Court decision in “City of Grants Pass v. Johnson” has accelerated the criminalization of homelessness; and 

 WHEREAS we support Oregon HB3115 limiting the criminalization of sheltering on public property; 

 and WHEREAS social workers are better equipped than law enforcement agents to intervene with unsheltered people as demonstrated by crisis intervention programs; 

 and WHEREAS housing is unaffordable to too many Clackamas County residents, exacerbating homelessness;  

and WHEREAS the county abandoned a 2023 deal to convert a motel into a transitional shelter and has done little else to ease the burdens of the unsheltered. 

 NOW, THEREFORE, WE ARE RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:  

Section 1. We call upon the Clackamas County Commission to prioritize funding and oversight for housing, mental health, and addiction services following an evidence-based approach, such as Housing First.  

Section 2. We call upon the Commission to purchase and convert more facilities for transitional housing.  

Section 3. We call upon the Commission to discourage encampment sweeps and arrests of unsheltered persons in line with OR HB3115.  

Section 4. We call upon the Commission to coordinate services for a county-wide crisis intervention programs with social workers akin to Portland Street Response and CAHOOTS.  

Section 5. We call upon the Commission to investigate working with Metro on homelessness initiatives. Resolution drafted by Omar Sheikh, Clackamas County and submitted by Committee.  

Passed by acclamation on January 16, 2025, and forwarded to the Clackamas County Commissioners Craig Roberts, Melissa Fireside, Paul Savas, Martha Schrader, and Ben West.