How many homeless people are in local shelters?

WW's weekly election feature—designed to scare the hell out of City Hall candidates.

By COREY PEIN

This week's question to the candidates for ex-Commissioner Erik Sten's seat: In the most recent one-night head count in the city auditor's report, how many homeless people were in Portland and Multnomah County shelters?

Nick Fish, labor lawyer and former Housing Authority commissioner:"I'm going to say 800."

Ed Garren, therapist:"I'll tell you flat out I don't know, so why should I try to lie to you?"

Jim Middaugh, Sten's chief of staff:"In shelters…I know how many we got off the street. [Long pause.] This is where you type 'long pause.' Five hundred."

Fred Stewart, former real-estate agent and bar owner:"I've heard this figure before, but I can't remember. I'm going to take a guess: 1,100."

Harold Williams Two, youth counselor:"A thousand."

(Answer: Officials counted 3,018 people in Portland and Multnomah County shelters on Jan. 24, 2007.)

WWeek 2015

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