This episode of Greater Greater Portland might be our most challenging yet. Primarily because, while this podcast has normally focused on transportation and urbanism, this will be the first in a series on homelessness, housing, addiction, and mental health within the Portland Metro Area.
Hosts Xavier D. Stickler, Bradley Bondy, and Jenna Deml start with an introduction on the current mood of the Portland Metro population, and the prevailing dominant narratives regarding homelessness. Then they break them all down, from the issue comes from the character to those in charge, to there simply being a shortage of housing, to there is an outright conspiracy afoot. Some having more factual basis, relevance, and humanity than others.
Next, they discuss the current frustrations regarding the crisis and theories for how we reached this breaking point.
Concluding the episode, the three hosts put forth their aims for this series. For one, to help provide a better framework for navigating this conversation, have accountability mechanisms for those involved (ie. homeless people, elected officials, non-profits), and also propose actionable solutions.
Researched, written and hosted by Xavier D. Stickler and Bradley Bondy
Produced, edited, and co-hosted by Jenna Deml
Thank you to Lynn Stanek for sponsoring this episode.
