Residents, advocates urge council to keep shelter beds, raise Congress Street maintenance concerns

Public comment at a June Portland City Council meeting focused on homelessness and conditions along Congress Street. Eric Brewer, an advocate with Homeless Voices for Justice and a person with lived experience, told the council he has been housed nearly five years but warned that any closure of emergency beds 'including at 166 Riverside Street'would strain the shelter system and likely push people into encampments. "Please do not reduce our already scarce shelter beds and support the budget as written," Brewer said, asking the council to maintain emergency shelter capacity.

Donna Yellin, vice president of strategic initiatives at Preble Street, said Preble Street supported the city manager's proposed budget and the council's choice not to cut…