Portland clears homeless encampment behind Lowe’s

A homeless encampment that attracted little attention for years was cleared last week behind the Portland Lowe’s.

The camp grew after others were dismantled across Portland in the past year, according to the Portland Press Herald .

The Brighton Avenue woods encampment existed quietly for years. But John Cimino, manager of the nearby retail plaza that includes Lowe’s, told the newspaper it “tripled in size overnight” as people displaced from other camps moved there.

Before its recent expansion, the camp was quiet and largely self-regulated, according to the Press Herald. Cimino said it was previously a handful of people who “minded their own business.” An increase in complaints came with the increase in population, he told the newspaper, leading to the call to clear the camp.

It underscores the challenge Portland has faced with rising homelessness in the city . Last year, the city cleared five major encampments , with many people moving from one location to another. Officials cited health and safety concerns alongside unused shelter beds.

Housing and homelessness were key issues in the mayoral race last November amid the city’s limited housing and rising costs. Winner Mark Dion has emphasized public safety and limiting camps in response to homelessness.

Outreach workers told the Press Herald they had been working with camp residents to find more permanent housing. Representatives of the retail area said the camp was cleared peacefully.

The owner of the Lowe’s property, Rand Rock LLC, told the Press Herald it did not initiate the clearing, but plans to trim the woods there to discourage camping.