What separates Oregon from Idaho when it comes to homelessness and drug addiction? After all, Oregon and Idaho are neighboring states. Yet Oregon ranks among the highest in both homelessness and drug addiction, while Idaho ranks near the bottom in both categories. Despite their close proximity, these two states show a stark contrast in these critical issues.
Homeless:
Oregon #5, Idaho #21 (This is per 10,000 people in 2024)
https://usafacts.org/articles/which-states-have-the-highest-and-lowest-rates-of-homelessness
Drug Addiction:
Oregon #12, Idaho #42 (Overall Rank)
Oregon #3, Idaho #39 (Drug Use Addiction Rank)
https://wallethub.com/edu/drug-use-by-state/35150
What are the primary differences between Oregon and Idaho that might explain these differences in homelessness and drug addiction:
Policy differences:
Oregon: Decriminalization (1), harm reduction approach
Idaho: Stricter drug laws, criminal justice approach
Housing Affordability:
Oregon: Limited development (3)
Idaho: Lower housing cost, easier to build
Oregon state law HB3115 hampers cities from enacting stricter homeless regulations. It is designed to put cities in the cross hair of lawsuits by the homeless with the use of “Objectively Reasonable” in regulating, time, place and manner when regulating homeless polices (2).
Idaho does not have such laws restricting cities from enacting their own policies.
(1) Oregon has repealed the decriminalization of drugs but still has relaxed penalties compared to what it use to be. In addition, the decriminalization most likely has brought in a culture that will take sometime to change.
(2) Background on HB3115 see: Homeless: Understanding State and Federal Law – A Voice Within
(3) Why is Oregon so hard to build affordable housings:
Oregon’s land use laws, particularly Senate Bill 100 passed in 1973, are frequently cited as a significant factor contributing to the difficulty of building housing in the state. This landmark legislation established a comprehensive statewide land-use planning system with the goal of conserving farmland, forests, and natural resources while managing urban development.
* Urban Growth Boundaries: SB 100 mandated that every city and town establish an UGB to control urban sprawl by designating areas suitable for development and preserving surrounding rural lands.
* Exclusive Farm Use and Exclusive Forest Use Zones: A significant portion of private land in Oregon is zoned for exclusive farm or forest use, which severely restricts or prohibits residential development on these properties.
* Strict Land Use Regulations: Oregon’s land use system involves 19 Statewide Planning Goals that local governments must adhere to when creating their comprehensive plans.
If these are the primary reasons why Oregon has such high homeless and drug addiction rates, that suggest there is little we can do at the local level. In other words, Oregon has become an enabling center for these very issues to fester and grow.
What could be done to help at the local level:
Far greater enforcement of our current laws.
Additionally, refuse to build enabling centers/shelters that will house over 4 times the amount of homeless that our local judge states we need to provide for campsite space for. See Homeless Shelter: Say No To Vine St. Homeless Project – A Voice Within
Stayed Tuned for Part II of this series – Oregon versus Idaho: Homelessness and Drug Addiction
So close, and yet, so very far away in terms of public policy. Clearly, the state of Idaho values its productive, law-abiding citizens over those who gobble up resources and give nothing in return…well, unless you count filthy hygiene habits, dangerous detritus and rampant criminal activity. My only puzzlement is why the voters of Oregon willingly continue to tolerate this? At some point, doesn’t the seeming inability of the “unhoused” to improve their condition start to weigh on these people, too? Aren’t they also mortified and embarrassed for their out of area friends and relatives see these disgusting “resting sites” in such close proximity to the heart of our beautiful and historic downtown shopping and dining area? Don’t they realize that new businesses and residents, who would provide jobs and contribute to the government coffers, will be rightfully deterred from relocating here because of this? Sadly, this situation is to our community’s detriment, especially when Idaho is but a hop, skip, and a jump away!
This entire homeless issue in Oregon is a disaster, a complete embarrassment. Our next door neighbor has figured this out, why can’t Oregon learn from them. I have no understanding why the voters in our state continue to elect people at the state level who are responsible for this state turning into a cesspool. I am very bewildered by this. Further, in Grants Pass – I don’t understand why the campsites were initially put in the heart of downtown – that was a huge mistake which started with the previous administration and continued to grow with this new administration. I am not sure I disagree with adding onto the current sites to get us out of the injunction so that the homeless can no longer sleep wherever they want – but if and only if it is very short term to allow a more permanent area. Though like most things, nothing is short term in which case this just adds onto turning our community more into a cesspool everyday.
Interesting article; I stumbled onto this site from a link elsewhere. I get a little tired of blaming a political party for the mess. After all, the reps were elected by the people in their districts, and I don’t think you mean to say we should eliminate democracy. Or do you? We need to convince voters to put reasonable people from both parties into the legislature, and get rid of uncompromising extremists.
I agree with much of what you write here. I’d like to see a deeper look into why Oregon is different from Idaho or some other states. It is important to recognize that being homeless isn’t a crime, but pooping on the sidewalk, brandishing weapons, littering and shoplifting are, and should not be tolerated . So what do we do about the law-breakers? And the people standing the roadway, yelling at imaginary enemies? These are the people making the city a mess. Fines are meaningless. Do we have enough jail cells and jailers to lock them all up? For how long? (Cost ≈ $3000/month/prisoner) How long do you lock someone up for stealing a bag of oranges? The problem isn’t one incident; it’s a continuing pattern of anti-social behavior, and our justice system doesn’t deal with that well. I really think this needs a national policy, so the problem isn’t shuffled from one community or state to another. I obviously don’t have any answers, but I think it is a difficult problem that unfortunately invites simplistic responses.
You bring up many good valid points. I agree, that in the end voters need to take better steps in who they vote for an in addition more voters need to take part in our voting process to truly have a government that is by the people for the people. As it stands we have a select few who vote, that isn’t really a republic as it was meant to be. So no, we can’t just go around blaming one party but if you look at the two major parties and what they stand for and what direction they are headed – one can (hopefully) see which party represents their values and beliefs the most. That doesn’t mean there isn’t bad apples in each party but as a whole what party best represents your own values – is the question.
Homeless, yes the real issue is not so much the homeless but the drug addicted vagrants. Those are the people we have a problems with that need to be dealt with. They either need to be jailed for their crimes (forced rehab) no longer feel comfortable enough to stay around here – no more enabling of free tents, free food, free clothes, free syringes. You can’t force a drug addict into wanting to get clean but we sure shouldn’t help them continue their life style with all this free stuff which is exactly what is happening now. I don’t have all the answers but I do know, common sense suggest you don’t help a drug addict with their life style and fines are worthless.