Portland pushes back deadline for moving homeless campers

PORTLAND – Officials will wait to start a major cleanup planned on the Springwater Corridor where hundreds without homes have been camping.

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales said in a news release the cleanup scheduled to start Monday has been postponed until September in response to requests for more time to relocate.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the delay is also a sign that the city faced pushback from homeless advocates who said they would occupy public land or challenge the city’s camping ban in court.

Hales said in the meantime police will increase patrols, signage will be installed with the new date and the city will place dumpsters along the corridor.

Hales said he wants to ensure the cleanup is as humane and compassionate as possible, adding that adjusting to social service providers’ requests is part of that.