Street Roots

City Councilors visited Vienna to learn how social housing has operated for over a century. Some say the model could help address Portland’s housing and homelessness crisis, and one councilor has a big idea for the site of an abandoned East Portland Fred Meyer.

It’s with immense gratitude that we can officially say Street Roots met our emergency fundraising goal! Over 1,400 community members contributed to our campaign in September, amounting to more than $289,000 raised for Street Roots in just one month! Thank you!

On the cover of Street Roots Oct. 1, 2025 issue is a black and white illustration of a structure at Right to Dream Too. Signs on the structure say the address, rules for the space and the operating hours. Beneath the structure are outstretched hands uplifting the structure with signs that say, "Right 2 Dream Too is here to stay" and "We love R2D2."

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Portland City Councilors Vienna takeaways, Right 2 Dream Too's fundraising efforts, Katherine Dunn’s posthumous short story collection and more.

Find a vendor in your neighborhood: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Street Roots Emergency Campaign: We’re at a critical moment - your help is key Street Roots needs to raise $288,000 by September 30 to stabilize our cash flow and avoid cutting any services that our vendors and community rely on, including the production of our award-winning…

Give at streetroots.donorsupport.co/page/Donate

📣 ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT TO REACH OUR GOAL 📣 Keep this vendor community, and our city, strong. Help us get to $288,000 by 9/30! Make your gift today! streetroots[dot]org/donate

#portland #pdx #portlandnonprofit #pdxnonprofit #portlandnews #streetroots

Portland threatens to evict Ice from Oregon facility over permit violations Records obtained by Street Roots and the Guardian back claim from Oregon city’s mayor that Ice violated a land use permit to detain people overnight

I wrote for @theguardian.com this week (also in print in this week’s @streetroots.bsky.social) on Portland’s investigation into permit violations at the local ICE facility. It’s one tool for a long process that could ultimately provide some accountability, with eviction unlikely, but in the toolbox.

We're now over HALFWAY to our goal to raise $288,000 in critical supportive funding for Street Roots by September 30th, and we have just ONE WEEK left to secure the remaining $130,743.50 needed to avoid making significant cuts. Visit streetroots.org/donate to take action.

Even with a Democratic supermajority and a record number of bills to work with, lawmakers didn’t pass more laws than usual in the 2025 legislative session.

Emergency fundraiser update! We officially passed the $100k mark! Over 850 individuals have helped raise $101, 319 for Street Roots, and we're over on third of the way to raising $288,000 by our Sept. 30 deadline. Take action today to protect Street Roots by going to streetroots.org/donate!

The cover of Street Roots Sept. 17, 2025 issue. Large text says, "Superwho? Despite supermajority, Oregon Democrats struggle to pass priority bills. PAGE 3." Below is a collage image of a bicycle, crosswalk signal, car, bus, money and the Oregon state capitol building.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Oregon Democrats struggle to pass priority bills, what to do if you see ICE agents in your community, a vendor profile and more.

Find a vendor in your neighborhood: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

What to do if you spot ICE in your community Amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown, local community networks are the first line of defense. Here’s what Oregon advocates say you should do if you see agents detaining someone.

Immigration advocates say if you see ICE targeting someone, knowing what to do in the moment is critical to protecting immigrants. It’s hard to know what to look for, but this guide can help you better understand how to be an effective bystander in Oregon, and your legal right to do so.

Street Roots' board member, Jay, just met a vendor in Austria and grabbed copy of Augustin, Vienna's street newspaper! Street Roots is a leader in the global street paper movement, and we need your help to raise $288,000 by September 30 to ensure our impact doesn't waver. streetroots.org/donate

A new overnight shelter for women to open this fall in Northwest Portland Bethanie’s Room aims to fill a gap in service. Advocates say having a safe place to sleep is key for homeless women.

A new overnight shelter is set to open in Northwest Portland this fall. Bethanie’s Room plans to serve 75 women and nonbinary people every night. The privately funded shelter is named after a longtime guest of Blanchet House who was killed in a hit-and-run in 2024.

Despite Trump’s attacks on the homeless, Oregon law holds up Grants Pass, Oregon won a Supreme Court case allowing cities to punish homeless people. But its latest legal settlement reiterates cities must act reasonably, despite federal provocations.

In the Grants Pass v. Johnson case last year, the US Supreme Court ruled it was constitutional to punish people for being homeless. But an Oregon law requires cities to maintain basic standards regulating homelessness, and the law appears to be working as intended — even in Grants Pass.

Downtown Portland stabbing continues pattern of anti-homeless violence Police arrested a housed man accused of stabbing two homeless neighbors. Oregon sees the highest level of violent attacks on homeless people in the U.S., according to a 2024 report by the National Coa...

Last week, a housed resident attacked multiple homeless neighbors in Northwest Portland, leading to a five-hour standoff with police crisis negotiators. It wasn’t an isolated incident. Oregon leads the nation in violent attacks against the homeless, a National Coalition for the Homeless report says.

Cover of the September 2, 2025 issue of Street Roots. Large text says, "Sleep first, dream later. A new overnight shelter for women will open this fall in Northwest Portland. Advocates say having a safe place to sleep is key for homeless women. PAGE 3." In the background is a collage of a pillow, 20-dollar bills, keys, and a stethoscope.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: a new women's shelter, anti-homeless violence, a vendor profile, poetry and more.

Find a vendor in your neighborhood: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Street Roots needs urgent support to raise $288,000 by September 30 to stabilize our cash flow and avoid cutting any services that our vendors and community rely on. Please visit our donation page where you can find more info and make a gift. streetroots.org/donate

Cover of Street Roots August 27, 2025 issue. Large text says, " What's at risk with TriMet cuts. TriMet says state funding required to avoid deep cuts, as Oregon Legislature takes up transportation bill. PAGE 6." Below is a black and white illustration of a large pair of scissors cutting a bus in half.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: TriMet in need of state funding to avoid major cuts, Oregon Pro Wrestling School's philosophy on connecting with an audience, and more.

Find a vendor in your neighborhood: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

"From my perspective, what Street Roots is doing — trauma-informed, investigative and collaborative reporting — is the future of journalism. I've learned about how to report on homelessness and issues affecting those most vulnerable with compassion and strong journalistic ethics."

This story was reported on by our outgoing Snowden intern, Grace Mangali.

A word from Grace: "This is my last week as a SR Snowden Intern. I've learned the power of a good story, of doubting yourself and making room for counterarguments in your reporting." (2/3)

A photo of Grace smiling and holding up a copy of the August 20, 2025 issue of Street Roots. She stands in front of a window at the Street Roots office filled with flyers and information. She wears a blue button up shirt.

🗞 On the cover of this week's issue is a story about the experiences and history of Filipino migrants in Oregon, and the networks that work to support them.

DOJ sends letter threatening Portland over sanctuary laws Attorney General Pam Bondi told the city it has until Aug. 19 to outline compliance with federal immigration enforcement, or face federal action

Mayor Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek each responded Aug. 19 to letters US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent last week, demanding the city and state comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

The Kidz Outside Festival enters its 4th Year The free, family-focused event featuring live music, food, children’s activities and a back-to-school supply giveaway will return to St. Johns on Aug. 23

The Kidz Outside Festival returns to St. John's. The free, family-focused event, featuring live music, food, children’s activities, and a back-to-school supply giveaway, takes place on Aug. 23. The festival's organizers reflect on the event's growth over the last four years and what comes next.

DOJ sends letter threatening Portland over sanctuary laws Attorney General Pam Bondi told the city it has until Aug. 19 to outline compliance with federal immigration enforcement, or face federal action

The city of Portland was included in a list of sanctuary jurisdictions that received letters from the U.S. DOJ this week, threatening federal action if it doesn’t cooperate with immigration enforcement.

With less assistance from federal and state sources, many turn to Portland nonprofits for food

Hunger is on the rise in Oregon. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers proposed multiple bills aimed at creating more equitable access to food across the state. None passed. Many in need turn to local nonprofits to fill the gap.

Cover of Street Roots August 6, 2025 issue. Large text on the cover says, "Hunger rises because of federal actions, while Oregon fails to help. With less assistance from federal and state sources, many turn to local nonprofits for food. PAGE 3." In the background is a black and white composite image showing food coming out of an upturned brown paper bag. A figure of a person is hanging onto the edge of the bag.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Hunger rising among Oregonians due to federal actions, a K-8 school plans to move due to federal agents' frequent use of tear gas and more.

Find a vendor in your neighborhood: www.streetroots.org/vendors#locate

K-8 school next door to Portland ICE facility plans immediate move Cottonwood School is scrambling to move into a new building just weeks before the start of the school year, saying federal agents’ treatment of protesters endangers students

The Cottonwood School, which sits adjacent to the federal immigration enforcement facility in South Portland, is moving, citing negative health and safety impacts of federal officers’ response to protests.

Here’s how PPB can legally respond to protests, and the munitions in its arsenal With potential for increased protests amid federal threats, Street Roots examines current restrictions on police violence in Portland

Local, state and federal laws govern how Portland police can legally respond to protests. PPB has operated outside those boundaries numerous times, but legal experts say understanding the laws makes accountability possible.

The end of Metro’s affordable housing bond worries advocates Metro Housing Bond funds are drying up. What does it mean for affordable housing projects in Portland?

Metro Housing Bond funds are drying up. With 87% of the bond funds now allocated, advocates worry about the future of publicly funded affordable housing in the Portland area.

City Councilor Dan Ryan parts ways with anti-trans podcaster after brief employment NW Fresh podcaster Andy Chandler made repeated comments maligning “discriminatory” DEI programs, “trans cults” and “woke ideas”

City Councilor Dan Ryan faced criticism last week for hiring a local podcaster who repeatedly made anti-Trans and anti-DEI comments online. In response to Street Roots' questions about the hiring, Ryan's office said it ended the employment arrangement.