Portland opens second mass homeless shelter site [Video]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland’s second mass sanctioned campsite for homeless people, also known as a Temporary Alternative Shelter Site (TASS), will soon welcome residents. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler held a news conference inside the site Monday afternoon.

Outside the site stood a small group of peaceful protestors from the surrounding neighborhood, arguing that the location off busy North Portland Road, surrounded by industrial businesses, is not the safest place to place homeless people.

Wheeler said the site was chosen primarily because it was large enough to fit dozens of RVs — one thing that makes the site stand out from other Portland shelters.

“It’s the first combined RV and alternative shelter site within the city of Portland, but it probably won’t be the last,” said Wheeler.

California-based nonprofit Urban Alchemy will run the site. They run …