Right 2 Dream Too

Right 2 Dream Too (known to locals as R2D2 or R2DTOO) is a "self-managed" homeless encampment in Portland, Oregon incorporated as a nonprofit organization.[1] In its beginning, it has setup an unauthorized transient camp on private property in October, 2011 in Old Town Chinatown at Northwest 4th Avenue and West Burnside Street near downtown, Portland. It had permission from the property owner, but it was not authorized by the city. The encampment operates under its parent company Right 2 Survive.[2][3][4][5] Its operation erected tents and built a fence without necessary permits and it was assessed fines for doing so.[6] In April 2017, the city agreed to allow its organized transient camp to move to a land owned by the Portland Bureau of Transportation and stay for up to two years.[7] Its camp remained at the original location for over five years before moving to a temporary site in North Portland on N Thunderbird Way in July 2017.[8] It was reported in August 2020 that the lease at this site has been extended until April 2021.[9]

aerial view of Right 2 Dream Too transient encampment village
Right 2 Dream Too transient encampment's main entry in December 2019 near the Moda Center

Operations
The former Right to Dream Too encampment site in August 2013 in Old Town Chinatown
Right 2 Dream Too's former location at NW 4th and Burnside Street entrance to Old Town Chinatown where they remained until July 2017

Code of conduct reads drug and weapon free zone as cited by Oregon Public Broadcasting in February 2016.[10] There is a general area and a member area. Full time lodging and tiny homes are for member benefit only. Membership is restricted and it is subject to several rounds of approval process by existing members. Non-members sleep on the floor and are restricted to 12 hours per 24 hour period, as of June 2017.[11]

The camp is self managed and has a 24-hour security desk staffed by camp residents at its entrance. While monetary contribution is not required of occupants, contribution towards the operation of the encampment is expected.[12]

Portland Tribune reported in August 2020 that about 100 people utilize the encampment every 24 hours, but R2D2 does not collect or maintain any information on the overnight guests.[9]

Location

The encampment began at the original location in 2011.[13] Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association objected to its presence next to the Chinatown Gate. In addition, the Portland Business Alliance sent a letter to city officials asking for removal or relocation of Right 2 Dream Too around December 2012.[4]

In 2013, the encampment and Portland city officials developed tentative plans to move the homeless camp to a city-owned parking lot under the Broadway Bridge in Portland's Pearl District.[5][14][15] Additional locations for the camp's relocation have also been considered by the organization and city officials.[14][15] Business and neighborhood leaders in the Pearl District have fought in opposition against the proposed Pearl District move.[16] Complaints about its transient campsite to the city's Bureau of Development Services dried up and dropped to just one in a 12 months period by February 2015. Commissioner Dan Saltzman gave his opinion that "People that are concerned about their presence have given up," "They've given up on us [city leaders]. I think that has a lot to do with it."[2]

In 2015, the city considered moving the encampment to a lot next to a metal finishing business that has been in business at the same location for 72 years and has been using the lot in question with permission for a long period. The proposal was blocked by a state land use board and the move did not materialize. The long standing metal finishing business sued the city for $9.9 million in 2018 alleging breach of agreement over the ordeal.[17] This dispute was unresolved as of August 2020.[9] A warehouse in Northwest Portland and a location in the industrial area of the central east side were considered as well, but did not materialize due to cost and neighborhood oppositions. In the site selection process, a developer pledged $800,000 to keep the campsite out of the Pearl District.[13]

Its most recent encampment is located at its temporary site at 999 N Thunderbird Way near the Moda Center.[18] KATU announced in March 2019 that its lease was going to expire in April 2019, [13] but in August 2020, Portland Tribune reports it has been extended again until April 2021.

See also

References
  1. Schmid, Thacher. "Portland's longtime homeless camp is moving, but underlying problems persist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  2. Theen, Andrew (February 25, 2015). "Right 2 Dream Too homeless camp: A year and $846,000 later, still in same spot". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  3. Hottle, Molly (October 10, 2011). "Nonprofit Right 2 Dream Too sets up homeless camp in Old Town-Chinatown neighborhood". The Oregonian. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  4. Korn, Peter (December 20, 2012). "Right 2 Dream Too stares down threat". Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon: Pamplin Media Group. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  5. Theen, Andrew (October 10, 2013). "Dignity Village: Residents fight 'complacency' as Right 2 Dream Too captures Portland's attention". The Oregonian. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  6. Korn, Peter (October 3, 2013). "Attorneys, city joust as R2DT move gets hearing". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  7. Harbarger, Molly (2017-04-07). "Mayor's office, Right 2 Dream Too agree on new location". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  8. "Right 2 Dream Too campers begin again at North Portland site". KGW. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  9. Sparling, Zane (August 20, 2020). "Funding woes hit Portland homeless camp Right 2 Dream Too". Portland Tribune. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  10. Templeton, Amelia. "Right 2 Dream Too Homeless Camp Looks To Find New Home". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  11. Yao, Stephanie (2017-06-15). "Right 2 Dream Too leaves downtown, welcome mat extended by Moda Center and Lloyd District (photos)". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2019-03-03. After earning membership in Right 2 Dream Too by following a code of conduct, working volunteer hours and passing several rounds of approval by fellow members, he's earned full-time lodging in this tiny house. Non-members sleep on the floor of a general population area for 12 hours in each 24-hour period
  12. "Where We Live: Right 2 Dream Too". KOIN.com. 2019-01-21. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
  13. Boddie, Ken (January 21, 2019). "Where We Live: Right 2 Dream Too". KOIN. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  14. Schmidt, Brad (October 15, 2013). "Right 2 Dream Too: Moving options unclear after Portland City Council again delays vote". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  15. Schmidt, Brad (October 21, 2013). "Right 2 Dream Too: Deadline to dismiss lawsuit extended 60 days". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  16. Schmidt, Brad (September 27, 2013). "Portland officials explain how Right 2 Dream Too can move to Pearl District". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  17. KATU (2018-08-17). "East Portland business sues city over failure to move homeless camp". KATU. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  18. Sparling, Zane. "Portland's Right 2 Dream Too Adds More Sleeping Pods". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
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