Right 2 Dream Too

Right 2 Dream Too
Name	Right 2 Dream Too
Formation	2011
Founder	Unknown
Location	Portland, Oregon, United States
Focus	Homeless advocacy, overnight sheltering, urban camping

Right 2 Dream Too is a Portland, Oregon organization that provided a supervised overnight encampment and advocacy for people experiencing homelessness. Founded in 2011, the group sought to create a sanctioned sleeping space in downtown Portland and engage with municipal officials, neighborhood associations, and legal advocates. The organization drew attention from local media, civil liberties groups, business associations, and national homelessness policy commentators.

History

Right 2 Dream Too emerged in 2011 amid ongoing debates in Portland involving Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County, and the Portland City Hall about public space use and homelessness. Early actions involved occupation of public plazas near Pioneer Courthouse Square and coordination with activists linked to movements such as Occupy Wall Street and organizers associated with Coalition Against Police Brutality (Portland). The group negotiated with the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and faced enforcement actions related to city ordinances and interactions with officials from the Mayor of Portland office. Over time the group relocated between sites including parcels near North Williams Avenue, Old Town Chinatown (Portland, Oregon), and properties under ownership interests involving entities such as the Port of Portland and private developers tied to projects reviewed by the Portland Development Commission. High-profile local leaders including members of the Portland Police Association and representatives from the Central City Concern engaged in public debate over the encampment's presence and activities.

Mission and Services

The stated mission emphasized providing a safe, dry place to sleep and advocating for rights of unhoused people in the spirit of organizations like National Alliance to End Homelessness and Coalition for the Homeless. Services included overnight sheltering, referral partnerships with groups such as Room to Dream-style advocates, informal outreach comparable to efforts by Transition Projects (Portland), and coordination with Multnomah County Health Department for health referrals. Volunteers worked alongside staff from regional nonprofits including Human Solutions (Oregon), Living Cully, and connections with faith-based entities like St. Francis Dining Hall and congregations historically involved in shelter provision. The organization also highlighted intersections with legal advocacy groups such as the ACLU of Oregon and policy-focused organizations including Urban League of Portland and the Oregon Law Center.

Legal and Zoning Issues

Legal disputes involved city zoning codes enforced by the Portland Bureau of Development Services and litigation referencing city ordinances debated in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The group navigated regulatory frameworks influenced by rulings from the United States District Court for the District of Oregon and precedents tied to national cases such as Martin v. City of Boise that affected municipal approaches to urban camping. Zoning questions implicated historic-district reviews overseen by the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission and interactions with private landowners including developers associated with the Albina Vision and projects funded through programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. City council hearings involving members like Ted Wheeler and Earl Blumenauer-connected advocacy intersected with broader policy debates over sanctioned encampments and enforcement practices.

Community Relations and Controversies

Relations with neighborhood groups such as the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association, the Downtown Portland Community Association, and business coalitions like the Portland Business Alliance were often contentious. Critics cited concerns voiced by leaders from the Alberta Arts District and retail stakeholders active in venues represented by Pioneer Place and hospitality operators linked to the Portland Development Commission about safety, sanitation, and economic impacts. Supporters included faith communities aligned with St. Vincent de Paul Society and grassroots organizers connected to Right to the City-style coalitions, while civil liberties attorneys from organizations like the ACLU defended the group's rights. Media coverage by outlets including the The Oregonian, Willamette Week, and national outlets invoking homelessness debates brought attention and polarized public opinion. Incidents prompting police involvement engaged the Portland Police Bureau and led to calls for policy revisions from city commissioners and regional public health officials.

Funding and Operations

Operations relied on donations, grassroots fundraising, and in-kind support from local nonprofits and faith-based groups including Salvation Army (United States), Catholic Charities USA, and volunteer networks comparable to Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East for logistical assistance. The group sought grants through channels associated with Multnomah County Health Department and philanthropic organizations similar to Meyer Memorial Trust and Oregon Community Foundation though formal grant partnerships were limited. Operational costs involved site maintenance, portable sanitation coordinated with providers used by Portland Parks & Recreation, and legal defense engaging attorneys connected to the Oregon State Bar. Staffing blended volunteers and organizers with affiliations to local advocacy coalitions and mutual aid networks inspired by national movements such as Black Lives Matter and community organizing traditions found in unions like the Service Employees International Union.

Impact and Reception

The presence and advocacy led to policy conversations in the Portland City Council and influenced municipal discussions about sanctioned encampments, supportive housing strategies promoted by HUD and local agencies, and collaborations with non-profits such as Central City Concern and HOME Forward (Portland Housing Bureau). Scholars and journalists compared the model to sanctioned encampments in cities like San Diego and San Jose, California and debates referenced research from institutions including Portland State University and national think tanks like the Urban Institute. Reception varied: advocates framed the site as a harm-reduction response praised by activists and some public health officials, while business groups and some residents criticized its effects on downtown commerce and urban livability. The group's efforts contributed to ongoing municipal policy evolution concerning homelessness, encampment management, and housing-first initiatives championed by policymakers such as Shelly Poticha-type advocates and service providers across the Pacific Northwest.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Portland, Oregon