Israel Bayer | Street Roots

Director’s Desk: It's time to take action on housing in Oregon

by Israel Bayer | 28 Jan 2016

People ask: Does my voice matter? Yes, it does.

It’s hard to put into words the trauma we see on the streets every day, much less how it has affected my peers and me over the years. It pales in comparison to how it actually affects the people that go through the hell that is losing a home and experiencing homelessness.

Sadly, I could tell you story after story of tragedy and heartbreak on the streets. The stories are both endless and horrifying. Life is desperate for many.
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Director’s Desk: It's time for inclusionary housing option in Oregon

by Israel Bayer | 21 Jan 2016

Lifting Oregon's ban on inclusionary zoning is key to finding a solution

Inclusionary zoning. You’ve heard about it, but what exactly is it? And why is it so important in addressing our current housing crisis in Oregon?

Inclusionary zoning links the production of affordable housing to the production of market-rate housing. The policy requires new residential developments include a certain number of affordable housing units.

Unfortunately, inclusionary zoning is banned in both Oregon and Texas. I’m sure there’s a Texas joke in there somewhere, but Oregon’s housing crisis is no laughing matter.
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Director's Desk: Support Street Roots by spreading the word

by Israel Bayer | 31 Dec 2015

Organization’s success depends on relationships, community

Street Roots is celebrating the first anniversary of being a weekly publication. Only the fourth street newspaper around the globe to be a weekly publication, we are proud of the work we have been able to accomplish. We couldn’t do it without you, Portland.

We ask Portlanders to support Street Roots and vendors, and you have responded overwhelmingly. Overall, sales for vendors have increased by 65 percent. We hope to continue to grow both the vendor program and newspaper appeal to readers in 2016.
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Director’s Desk: Portland's housing crisis, today and tomorrow

by Israel Bayer | 23 Dec 2015

A year-end roundup of what’s shaking on the homeless and housing front

People ask Street Roots why we aren’t covering more of the housing crisis in the newspaper. It’s a simple answer for a complex problem: We pride ourselves on publishing original content.

Every media outlet in town is covering the issue. Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Portland Mercury, the Portland Tribune, Willamette Week and The Oregonian — they are all running with stories about the current housing crisis. Sometimes the same story told in a slightly different way.
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Director’s Desk: This is how you can help Street Roots vendors

by Israel Bayer | 17 Dec 2015

It may be raining, but our vendors are shining bright

With the holidays upon us, it has not been an easy month for Street Roots vendors. Record-breaking rainfall has all but stopped sales of the newspaper on a couple of days, and that never happens. It’s a bummer because December is typically the vendors’ best sales month. Readers and supporters have responded with great care and love. It’s much appreciated.
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Director's Desk: America's homeless emergency is mandmade. It can be solved.

by Israel Bayer | 10 Dec 2015

The federal government needs to step up on homeless funding, policies

Homelessness is hell, especially during the winter months.

This past week, during one of the downpours, I witnessed a homeless woman so soaked to the bone that she simply sat down in the middle of the sidewalk, took off all her clothes and said, “I give up. God, please take me.”

It was a sad affair.

As I called for help, people walked by, some making snide comments, others with horrified looks on their faces, having witnessed such human suffering.
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Director's Desk: Sharing the holiday spirit with readers, vendors alike

by Israel Bayer | 7 Dec 2015

Street Roots is a small train that carries a heavy load

The holidays are upon us. We want to wish everyone at Street Roots a very happy holiday!

This year has been a big one at Street Roots. This time last year we were gearing up to go from a biweekly publication to a weekly publication. With your support we began publishing weekly on Jan. 1.
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Portland Mayor Charlie Hales on climate change, homelessness

by Israel Bayer | 25 Nov 2015

Less than two weeks before hosting a West Coast summit of his peers, Portland’s mayor talks about the critical agenda items.

Street Roots recently sat down with Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and talked about homelessness and climate change. Hales will be joining mayors from Eugene, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco in a summit on the subjects Dec. 11 and 12 in Portland.
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Director's Desk: Despite a heavy holiday season, the human spirit is strong

by Israel Bayer | 25 Nov 2015

The spirit of the holidays in Portland is strong. The spirit of the people are even stronger.

It’s that time of year when many of us are traveling or welcoming friends and family for the holidays, seeking solace in the community that we have created or belong to. For many of us, the holidays give us a time to reflect and celebrate our common bonds, a time to laugh and love and enjoy the warmth of the human experience, a time to give and to share with others.
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Take action on housing: An open letter to President Obama

by Israel Bayer | 12 Nov 2015

We have failed as a nation to give our citizens the tools they need to be successful

Dear Mr. President, governors and local mayors of the United States:

By now, I’m sure you may have heard that Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and the state of Hawaii have all declared states of emergency for housing and homelessness in their communities.

Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and Hawaii, like many communities in the United States, are dealing with thousands of men, women, children and elders sleeping outside without a safe place to call home.
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