It’s Friday evening, and you’re looking at the new water tap at Albany’s designated homeless camp.
One of the necessities Albany’s designated homeless camp needed was a source of potable water. It didn’t have one on Wednesday, but now it does, thanks to Helping Hands.
The homeless shelter had run a hose to the city-owned camping site from the outdoor faucet of a rental house next door, one of five such houses the shelter owns on the block.
The hose goes under the fence to a spigot on a post on the corner of the homeless camp, which the city calls Marvin’s Garden.
I went there on the bike on Friday evening and found the water tap. “Does this thing work?” I asked one of the residents. “Sure,” he said, and turned it on as water splashed out.
The need for potable water at the camp was one of the items mentioned by Carol Davies, head of COAT, when she spoke to the city council Wednesday night. The letters stand for Community Outreach Assistance Team, a private volunteer group.
Davies said at the time that Helping Hands had offered to provide water via a hose, and that’s what happened.
She also mentioned the need for a second portable toilet. There was still only one on Friday. The resident I talked to said the second one was expected early next week.
The City of Albany set up the camp in response to a state law introduced by then-House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, now the governor. Her bill, HB 3115, passed in 2021 and took effect this July 1. It limits cities in enforcing bans on camping on public property.
Albany’s designated camp consists of the corner lot at Ninth and Jackson, with space for 15 tents, and a second city-owned lot on Jackson with space for maybe half a dozen vehicles in which people live.
“This ‘designated camping site’ has thus far cost the City over $22,000,” City Manager Peter Troedsson told the council in his weekly Friday report. He went on:
“HB 3115 provided no funds, but mandated that cities provide a designated camping site … or allow camping on public property. The costs for setup of the campsite have thus far totaled approximately $16,000. Recurring operational costs are running about $600/month. Additionally, insurance on the site will cost $5,000 per year. The cost in staff hours to coordinate, implement, monitor and maintain has not been quantified but has been significant.”
At a forthcoming meeting, he added, the council can expect a report on the camping site. (hh)
The bike took me to Marvin’s Garden to see the water setup Friday.
Hasso, help us out.
Oregon’s law (HB 3115) requires that any restrictions the city places on camping on public property must be “objectively reasonable.”
What is Albany’s interpretation of “objectively reasonable”?
Given Albany decided to burden local taxpayers with this public “garden”, does APD still cite those who decide to sleep outside on other public properties?
It looks like Albany’s approach is very permissive and just enables some to avoid the consequences of their personal actions.
Consequences that impact many other city residents.
I am intrigued by Hasso’s drill-down into the costs associated with Marvin Gardens. His exacting attention to even the smallest expenditure that might benefit the homeless demonstrates his fierce dedication to fiscal conservatism. Unfortunately, Hasso’s laser beam focus on government spending seems lacking when it comes to the benefits extended to all the rest of Albany residents – those who live in accordance with values he agrees with. The subsidies granted to the middle and upper-classes in this city, in this state and in this country amount to billions, yet Hasso seems to only see the paltry $22-thousand spent thus far on those not falling into his preferred socio-economic class. And the thought of $600-dollars per month for ongoing operations … the horror can barely be contained. When Hasso quits bawling over the lack over his perceived lack of dollars infused into bicycling amenities and other city government spending on white, middle class “problems” then perhaps his anxiety over the massive overruns on Marvin Gardens could be considered fair game for his column.
Because Hasso calls out your BS?
From your post here where YOU claimed expenses were $6k/year.
https://hh-today.com/camp-sites-for-homeless-some-numbers/#discussion
I really enjoy watching your credibility in a death spiral.
Bill im just playing the devils advocate here, I dont agree either way about this site. Its nice we dont have tents all over the city and can NOW say with Tina stupid law on our side that since we have a place for them they cant be any place else but thats a different issue for a different day. Im really going to “nit pick” here about the cost annually. I do see your point about the OPs always having SOMETHING to say but the 6K a year is ACTUALLY low isnt it? I mean if the Insurance ALONE is $5,000 a year and costs are expected to be at least $600 a month thats more like $12,200 a year. STILL if thats ALL we have to spend to be in compliant with their law I see that as a win. Look what other cities are having to spend to begin to deal with this! I think the people staying there should have todo at least SOMETHING to “pay for their stay” even if its one or two days of communitee serivce picking up trash on the road, helping file paperwork at city hall (for those that will claim they cant do physical work) im sure theres SOMETHING EVERYONE can do. Everything cant just be given out all the time withouth asking for something to help them better themselves.
Why did you leave out the rest of the italicized text? “…The cost in staff hours to coordinate, implement, monitor and maintain has not been quantified but has been significant.”
When a City employee says “costs are significant”, you know it’s going to be a lot. We need to do some “quantifying”.
I agree!
Unfortunately, your personal attack against me fails to address the issue I was making – that Hasso is more than content to narrowly focus on the paltry sums the City is spending on Marvin Gardens while simultaneously failing to zero-in on all the perks, tax breaks and other societal benefits that the more affluent have lined their nests with. I was under the impression that personal insults were not to be allowed as Hering has pointed out on more than one occasion. But, it doesn’t matter because this personal assault on me does not change the reality of what I originally stated.
I think Hasso cherry-picks which insults he declares personal. He wants to leave room so he can say things himself, such as, “Does this or that hurt your feelings”? That is his form of a taunt/insult.
@ Bill K
Thanks for pulling that story up!
I’m standing by what I commented there. No double down tho … like must RePuklicans.
Cheers!
“The subsidies granted to the middle and upper-classes in this city, in this state and in this country amount to billions”: I would consider myself upper middle class. I worked my behind off for everything I have. Three jobs at a time, my own business working 75 hours a week. I am, like many, in the middle. We get no benefits and pay through the nose in fees and taxes. Quite frankly, we get hosed. Now retired, the taxation on us is unbelievable. The homeless need two things; mental health and drug-alcohol treatment and job skills training so they get OFF of the taxpayers dime. We are, like the 20 year olds in our basements, doing them no favors. Give them $tuff and more will come.
Nailed it. I would let them camp at the city’s edge and keep the shopping cart caravans to a minimum.
I once saw the following statement that has stuck with me. I don’t recall who said it so cannot cite the author.
“A person who continually accepts gifts soon loses their self respect and hates the one who gave it to them.”
Anyone who has been around for a number of years should realize the the middle class has been being systematicly destroyed since the 1970s, while many of those who are now EXTREMELY wealthy have benefited by billions of dollars of “corporate welfare” ….. and they continue their war against the middle class.
We do need to help those in need, homeless or not, but it is important that they also take care of themselves and their surroundings. Those using Marvin Gardens and other such places should act TOGETHER to maintain their environment … not destroy it.
IT’S BEEN QUITE A WHILE SINCE I RESPONDED TO HASSO’S BLOG, AND I WON’T BE ONE OF THE “REGULARS”. THIS POST, AND THE RESPONSES STRUCK A CORD WITH ME THOUGH. LET ME LIST THE BENEFITS THE MIDDLE CLASS GETS FROM THE CITY: SIDEWALKS, STREETS, LIGHTS, FIELDS, BIKE PATHS, FLOWER BASKETS, CONCERTS, BOAT DOCKS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, PARKING, AND OH YES, THE PARKS SOME DON’T WANT THE “OTHERS” TO BLEMISH.
MANY WHO BENEFITTED FROM THE PERKS OF BEING IN THE PRIVILEGED CLASS…MIDDLE OR OTHERWISE, DON’T SEEM TO APPRECIATE THE ADVANTAGES THEY HAD. THAT’S NOT ME. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE BASICALLY FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION I RECEIVED, DENTAL AND MEDICAL CARE I GOT, THE SUPPORTIVE SINGLE MOTHER HOUSEHOLD I HAD, AND THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THOSE WHO ARE SO HARSH IN THEIR JUDGEMENTS, TAKE A LEAP AND LEARN OF THE JOY THAT COMES FROM HELPING THE LEAST AMONG US, AND TO REMEMBER THE SECOND HALF OF JESUS’ COMMAND, TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. AND OF COURSE, THERE IS JUDGE NOT LESS YOU BE JUDGED.
OH YEAH, AND BEFORE YOUR RESPONSE IS STOP YELLING IN CAPS, LIGHTEN UP…JUST EASIER FOR ME THAN CAPITALIZING. JUDGE THE CONTENT, NOT THE FORMAT!
Well, “streets” are a little questionable when they’re not maintained and if the “flower baskets” you mention are the ones hanging on the main drags, those aren’t furnished by the city.
I think it’s good they have a place to camp but also think they should make sure there camp site is clean. Also think the churches should take care of the homeless.
I think some of you need to look up what subsidy means. And, Tina Kotek just might be worse for Oregon than Kate Brown.
I’ve got the homeless solution for the mid-valley. After this college football season, Oregon State U. will have an upgraded Reser Stadium that has had 162 million dollars poured into it. BUT, also after this season, the Pac-12 is Kapoot! Only has 4 teams left in it.; that is not going to get them a TV deal! So, there sits that fancy stadium with 84 concession booths, and 160 bathrooms! Put tents for the homeless on the field, and let them use the amenities!!! (I’m serious about this.)
Problem solved.
I saw a homeless holding a sign saying he will accept cash and even Venmo. True story. I don’t know how much more you can give because it’s never ending. The politicians tell you what you want to hear that is until we elect them. I also question the track records of politicians who have failed elsewhere but now thrive here in Oregon. This homeless crisis is out of control but it seems that people who embrace these camps probably don’t want them camped in your front yard. Collectively come up with a plan that might stand a chance of working instead of whining about left and right. We were all taught to work hard and earn our keep. We are not doing people any favors by giving money while they hold a sign under a sign that says hiring immediately. This should bother everyone. Any answers people, or are we just gonna get on pages like this and complain.
i can only imagine the damage done to resers if ya let um in there for just one night. the majority of homeless have no respect at all for public property.
What is wrong with accepting cash or Venmo? Pretty resourceful, I would say, and we all need to smile at something once in a while.
Someone is “getting hosed” that’s for sure. Wonder what good samaritan will claim to be
the one promoting high tech panhandling! Probably not a working person who can’t even get a credit card for his own use.
Sorry! THEIR own use (the correct pronoun).