Salem moves forward with plan to allow car camping

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The City Council in Salem, Oregon, has voted unanimously to draft an emergency declaration legally allowing car camping in certain areas.

Many members of the public who spoke at the council meeting Monday supported the push for car camping but stressed more needed to be done to help the homeless population.

Most demanded immediate action.

Mayor Chuck Bennett said he was "deeply concerned" about the homeless crisis, but added it has been 30 years in the making and officials are working to fight that crisis in a matter of weeks. He said the actions made during Monday's session will help meet the needs of the community.

A study researching the option found the city of Salem has neither the funds nor the resources to manage a city-sponsored program. A privately-sponsored program — where site owners provide supervision, trash receptacles and access to bathrooms — was suggested as an alternative.

City officials said unorganized car camping negatively impacts property and neighboring property, and creates health and safety issues for the campers as well as the public.

The Statesman Journal reports the homeless population — which includes people living outside, in shelters and in cars — stands at about 1,800.

Organized car camping and semi-permanent warming shelters have been pushed as two short-term fixes to the homelessness crisi