Oregon Public Broadcasting

A small group of protesters met in front of Portland City Hall Friday morning to call for new solutions to end homelessness.

They asked city leaders to establish a tent city called the “Green Zone,” where people could sleep outside without breaking the law.

The group is calling on city residents to camp in their front yards Saturday night as a show of solidarity with the homeless.

Jill Severson helped organize the event.  She says the current slow economy may drive more people onto the streets.

Jill Severson: “The populations of people that are homeless or houseless will probably continue, and that could be you or I.  I mean, how many Americans are only maybe one paycheck, if that, away from houseless or homelessness?  So, definitely, we believe that there’s more need in the future.”

The group is also asking that City Council repeal the anti-camping and sit/lie ordinances.   Homeless protesters occupied the sidewalk outside City Hall for a couple of weeks this spring with the same demand.

A spokesman from Mayor Potter’s office said the mayor would not support a “Green Zone” because it would not help people get into affordable permanent housing.