Blair Best
KGW News
Portland, OR, United States
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Past articles by Blair:
‘I can’t live with this:’ Southeast Portland man describes living under squatters
The unit the squatters have taken over is now owned by the bank and is scheduled to go up for auction on March 14 at 1 p.m. → Read More
Clatsop County added to homelessness state of emergency; other counties not so lucky
Counties not included in the state of emergency could still receive money through Gov. Tina Kotek's other proposals aimed at reducing homelessness statewide. → Read More
‘It’s frustrating’: Portland church groups try to tackle homelessness with little help from the city
A coalition of cultural and religious organizations has met with local government asking how they can use their congregations to help but aren’t getting any answers. → Read More
Safe Rest Village replaces homeless camps, Belmont goats
Clearing homeless camps and relocating the Belmont Goats was the first step in the city's plan to build the Peninsula Crossing Safe Rest Village. → Read More
Portland developer says transitional housing lacks financial support
Costs for this kind of housing have been climbing, and developers like Guerilla are afraid that the push for affordable housing won't support this first step. → Read More
'Like a war zone': Southeast Portland neighbors describe living next to squatters
When it comes to squatters, Portland police can only act if they can prove there is criminal trespassing, which must come from the homeowner. → Read More
Flyers with hate speech left in driveways in Oregon City
The flyers contained homophobic statements and overt references to white supremacy, according to the city. Oregon City police called it a bias incident. → Read More
Low-income seniors in Tigard face steep rent increases
About two years ago, the tenants were told their building’s affordability restrictions would expire in three years, meaning rents would be raised to market rate. → Read More
'There’s light on the other side': Measure 110 funds help Central Oregon jail open new detox program
With help from Measure 110, a new form of addiction treatment is coming to the Deschutes County Jail. → Read More
Portland Commissioner bans some city groups from handing out tents and tarps to homeless people
The decision comes as each city bureau is under review to see if they are supporting the Mayor’s plan to ban unsanctioned homeless camping. → Read More
City of Portland uses up all the budgeted money for homeless camp removals on ODOT property
As of this month, the city of Portland has spent all $2 million allocated for campsite clean-ups on Oregon Department of Transportation rights of way. → Read More
'People should have freedom': Portland's homeless residents give mixed response to mayor's mass encampments
One site under consideration for a sanctioned camp location is a privately-owned parking lot in the Central Eastside, in an area known as the Clinton Triangle. → Read More
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's large sanctioned camping sites underway, officials say
Mayor Ted Wheeler's office will announce where the large-scale sites will be located after meeting with the selected neighborhoods for their input and agreement. → Read More
KGW team covering Portland homeless camp removal witnesses shooting
The camp was on the city’s radar even before the shooting. The city posted it for removal last week in preparation of building a Safe Rest Village in its place. → Read More
'I have purpose now': Formerly homeless men start handyman business in Portland
The builders hope to grow their business to a point where they can hire people transitioning out of homelessness and work on affordable housing. → Read More
Large homeless camp in Longview is now a tiny home village
For years, a homeless camp has caused major issues for the city of Longview, Washington. The city has now opened a tiny home village for homeless people. → Read More
Gov. Kotek's $32B proposed budget focuses on housing and homelessness
Part of the budget is a $130 million proposal to address homelessness and housing in counties covered by her state of emergency, but more would be spent statewide. → Read More
‘It’s about the small things:’ Eugene high school students build tiny homes for the homeless
The goal of the project is to build 30 of the 8x16-foot transitional housing units before the end of the school term. → Read More
Car stolen from Southeast Portland woman’s driveway, later spotted at nearby homeless camp
Portland police warn people not to retrieve their stolen vehicles from homeless camps and to call them instead. → Read More
'I feel on display': Some homeless people in Clark County say they feel overwhelmed by Point in Time count
Clark County's count happens one day every year in January. A separate bi-annual count of the Portland tri-county area's homeless population is also underway. → Read More