PORTLAND, Ore. — Editor's note: KGW received an update from Multnomah County Chair Jessica Pederson on Wednesday evening that the county will pay to keep 80 asylum seekers in their hotel rooms until April 30. This story was written before the announcement. Here is the updated story.
In two days, 80 people seeking asylum in Portland, including more than 30 children under the age of 12, could end up on the streets. Funding for their hotel rooms has run out — and Multnomah County offered the families tents.
A local nonprofit and the city of Portland has been paying for them to stay in a hotel in Northeast Portland, but that money runs out on Friday.
Luz Escalona is one of the 80 asylum seekers. She first came to America one month ago and was told there was housing in Portland.
“I chose Portland because we were told they could help us here with accommodations, like a roof over our heads, while we arrange our immigration papers,” she said in Spanish. “Inside, there are around 30 kids that will be without a home. We need your help, with whatever help you can give — someplace to live, where our kids won't be living on the streets.”
KGW brought the issue to Mayor Ted Wheeler., who said he just learned about it on Tuesday.
“I think we all agree that the right answer is not to hand people tents and say, 'Welcome, you can join the population of homeless people on the streets of Portland.' That is the wrong answer,” Wheeler said.
On Wednesday, KGW heard from Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson for the first time about this situation.
“I don’t know exactly what the thought process was around the tents. I think that there was outreach that had happened last week with the best-possible meaning; our staff were like 'This is the assistance I can provide you right now,' so I applaud that kind of problem-solving, but that is in no way a long-term plan … I’m directing Multnomah County to look for resources to help pay for one more month to help these families,” she said.
“But that isn’t enough, and so, I really am looking forward to having a conversation a partnership about what are we going to do to address the folks who are going to continue to come into our state,” said Vega Pederson.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the chair's office told KGW they were disappointed the state doesn't have more resources to help these families.
“I was shocked. I first heard about it when you (KGW) reported on it,” said Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran.
“Putting people who have been traumatized children who have been traumatized onto the street and offering them tents is appalling,” Meieran continued. "We are supposed to serve the most vulnerable: those who are homeless, immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, children. These are the people we are meant to serve; it is our mission and to just point the finger is an abdication of our responsibility."
Escalona had this message for local leaders: “I would like to tell them to please help us. That we have kids. That they really need a roof over their heads and stability. That's what I want to tell everyone.”
KGW is expecting to hear from the governor’s office about this Thursday. There is also a county board meeting on Thursday when the commissioners hope to come up with a plan that keeps the families off the streets come the weekend.