📃 Portland’s plan to cut homelessness in half

📈 Yet Another Impending Utility Rate Hike

The Portland Water Bureau is proposing a nearly 8% increase in water rates, coupled with a 5.15% rise in sewer rates from the Bureau of Environmental Services — a combined 6.24% increase that would cost a typical single-family home $8.88 more each month. Leaders from both organizations say the rate hikes are due to rising operational and maintenance costs, along with construction of the Bull Run Water Treatment Plant. City Council will vote on the proposed rates on Wednesday. [Portland Mercury]

⛲ A Story of Neglect

The Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden, a beloved haven for generations of Portland children, is falling into disrepair. The statues, honoring literary characters like Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins, are deteriorating, with worn plaques and drainage issues. City officials acknowledge the upkeep issues, but say that solutions remain elusive. Despite efforts by residents and the sculptor’s family, a lack of clarity on maintenance responsibility from city entities leaves Cleary’s legacy in jeopardy. [Oregonian 🔒]

📃 Portland’s Plan to Cut Homelessness in Half

Portland and Multnomah County unveiled a long-awaited plan to address homelessness, seeking to halve the unsheltered population by 2026. The proposal includes adding 1,000 shelter beds, over 2,200 supportive housing apartments, and increasing treatment beds for mental health and substance use disorders. Funding for the plan will come from a combination of sources, including city, county, and state finances. [OPB]

• Related: How City Leaders Could Rewrite the Daytime Camping Ban. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

🧃 Leave the Coolers at Home

The Waterfront Blues Festival announced a ban on outside food and drink for the first time in its nearly four-decade history. Organizers cited safety concerns, including an inability to thoroughly inspect coolers and containers brought in by the large number of attendees. Organizers also said there will be exceptions for medical needs, along with free hydration stations. [Willamette Week]

Rewriting the Camping Ban, Pricing Safe Rest Homes, and Your State Sandwich Picks

Today we’re talking about the Portland City Council potentially rewriting the daytime camping ban to get it through the courts, and the cost breakdown of the tiny homes built for Safe Rest Villages. We also found some new contenders for Oregon’s “official” state sandwich, and why a listener thinks local restaurants are struggling.