Is Portland a magnet for poor folk? Check out the new SRs tomorrow to find out

In communities throughout the country you will hear a common complaint by critics of homeless services - our city is a magnet for homeless people because of services. If we build it, they will come.

Liberal communities up and down the West Coast have been dubbed by many as a place of last resort for people experiencing homelessness. Los Angeles has been called the homeless capital of the United States, San Francisco, a bum's paradise, Seattle and Portland, a place to go to access great services.

Street Roots takes a look at what's happening on the ground and talks to city officials in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle - giving you the real dirt.



Other stories this issue include a look Urban Opportunities, a empowerment based job skills programs for homeless youth, and a Q & A with the young and up and coming Portland City Council candidate John Branam. Other features include three in-depth grassroots news pieces from our sister paper, the Big Issue Kenya, and lots of poetry and prose from the streets.

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