Part 7/9:
The path forward requires not only more shelters but also a willingness to confront difficult truths surrounding homelessness. Critics believe that until there is a willingness to emphasize sobriety and treatment as requirements for services—rather than mere shelter—Portland might not escape the cycle of homelessness and its associated challenges.
In the face of significant drug addiction issues, the resolution may require tougher love and a more holistic approach that includes mental health intervention and drug treatment, rather than loading more resources into a system that many have deemed ineffective.