The city of Salem and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are finalizing an agreement to address homeless camping on state property, including freeway underpasses. The 23-page draft agreement aims to improve the city’s ability to connect homeless individuals with shelters and services.
Agreement Details
The agreement focuses on trash and personal property on the right-of-way and allows the city to remove items that are in unsanitary condition or have no apparent use. The city will document personal property before bringing it to a state storage facility, where it will be kept for at least 30 days.
The city will pay for expanded services, and ODOT will direct some of the savings from the city’s work to camp maintenance within Salem. The agreement also enables the city’s Homeless Services Team to engage with individuals on ODOT property and connect them with available services and support.
Next Steps
The draft agreement will go before the city council for approval in August. If approved, the agreement will last until June 30, 2027.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
