Portland Solutions details problem‑solver network, shelter and impact‑reduction work

Skyler Brecker, deputy director Hank Smith and other Portland Solutions staff outlined how the office organizes outreach, campsite cleanups and neighborhood problem‑solving at the Community and Public Safety Committee meeting on April 22.

Portland Solutions described four program pillars: shelter services, an impact‑reduction program that responds to campsites and provides trash and hygiene services, the Public Environment Management Office (PEMO) that runs a “problem solver” meeting network and neighborhood public‑space improvements, and a Street Services Coordination Center that coordinates outreach and cross‑agency responses. "We problem solve for persistent issues and coordinate with the right teams to get results," Skyler Brecker said.

The presentation said Portland Solutions currently manages nine alternative shelter sites, one congregate shelter and two overnight shelters added in January. The office said it focuses outreach on high‑impact campsites and works closely with police, Multnomah County outreach counselors and Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) on removals, tow operations and referrals to shelter.

Why it matters: the office positions itself as an alternative that can reduce demand on police, fire and emergency medical services by responding to low‑level public‑space problems, connecting people to shelter and maintaining public spaces. The work affects neighborhoods with visible encampments, business districts seeking reduced storefront impacts and city budgeting for shelters and outreach.

Key program details

- Problem solver network: PEMO runs 16 problem‑solver areas across the city; the meetings generally run every two weeks and are intended to be short, practical gatherings to create a “punch list” of small projects neighborhoods want addressed.

- Time/place/manner (TPM) ordinance and campsite approaches: staff said a city code change addressing camping passed in May of last year; since the update Portland Solutions reported 42 campsite approaches using the TPM methodology. Of those approaches the presentation said the “vast majority” accepted shelter when offered, and two resulted in arrests. Staff added they have not used the TPM approach since February because outreach work has focused on building overnight shelter capacity.

- Case study — NE 30th south of Marine Drive: Portland Solutions described a coordinated operation involving PBOT, police, county outreach and newly available shelter space that led to nearly 60 people accepting shelter and more than 60 vehicles towed. Impact reduction crews removed “tons” of materials and Port of Portland installed signage and assisted with on‑site coordination.

- Property storage and inventories: Lucas Hillier, manager of the impact reduction program, described two storage facilities. One is a day‑use drop‑off near Fifth and Hoyt with about a 30‑day maximum; the other is a consolidated property warehouse on Ibon Street described as two joined buildings totaling about 17,000 square feet. Staff said items classified as property are bagged in clear plastic, photographed, inventoried and held a minimum of 30 days, with flexibility to hold longer if an owner is incarcerated or remains in contact with staff.

Staffing and priorities

Portland Solutions staff said they are “heads down on building overnight shelters” and that outreach teams coordinate daily with police and other partners about high‑impact sites. Anne Hill, manager at PEMO, and other staff described collaboration with Safe Blocks, CPTED analysts and community groups in several neighborhoods.

What staff would not say or could not specify

- Funding breakdowns for each program pillar were not provided in the presentation. - Exact current staffing levels and vacancies for each Portland Solutions program were not specified.

Questions and next steps

Committee members asked about enforcement of camping rules, storage procedures for property collected at encampments and how PEMO coordinates with other neighborhood programs. Councilor Ryan Zimmerman praised the problem‑solver meetings but asked why TPM approaches have not been used since February. Portland Solutions staff said their primary focus shifted to opening shelter beds and that outreach continues to coordinate daily with police on high‑impact sites.

The presentation concluded with staff offering to share more detailed follow‑up information with the committee and an offer to provide contacts and meeting invites for the problem‑solver network.

Ending: The committee moved on to the next agenda item after brief questions from councilors; staff said they would provide follow‑up materials if the committee requested them.