Homelessness and 11th Street Camps
Summary
Residents split sharply: business owners and nearby residents want existing camping and nuisance ordinances enforced and repeat offenders held accountable, while others argue homelessness shouldn't be criminalized and services need to be more trauma-informed and individualized. A work session on the city's homelessness response followed the meeting.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 19, 2026.
Impact analysis
Speakers raised questions about how much public money is flowing to homelessness services and whether enforcement failures are costing downtown businesses revenue.
Better-coordinated policy could improve safety for downtown businesses, workers, and residents while connecting unhoused individuals to appropriate services.
Downtown businesses and employees report current harm from threats and harassment; unhoused individuals face risks if enforcement is punitive without adequate services.
Mentions & discussions (7)
City Council - Oct 19, 2026
Councilors reported a surge of complaints about camping, drug use, and noise around the shelter on 11th Street. The police chief said most of the same people are back, shelters run about 95 percent full, and the city is managing — not solving — the issue under state law.
City Council - Jul 6, 2026
Resident Mary Ng flagged trash piling up near the Fifth and Sixth Street encampments by the Riverwalk, asked the city to apologize to the Dialysis Center and Chevron for using their dumpsters, and urged support — cultural enrichment, life-skills help — for people moving from homelessness into housing.
Parks Board - Jun 24, 2026
Trash cans between the museum and 39th Street overflow on busy weekends, and tents near the Riverwalk draw complaints. The city's updated camping ordinance takes effect mid-July with new enforcement tools.
City Council - May 18, 2026
Residents split sharply: business owners and nearby residents want existing camping and nuisance ordinances enforced and repeat offenders held accountable, while others argue homelessness shouldn't be criminalized and services need to be more trauma-informed and individualized. A work session on the city's homelessness response followed the meeting.
City Council - Apr 20, 2026
The council reviewed two proposed managed campsite locations — the Pacific Power lot on Second Street and Taylor Avenue — after staff winnowed 16 candidate sites. Dozens of residents testified, mostly in opposition, citing neighborhood safety, tourism, wind exposure, contamination at the Second Street site, and process concerns. The council reached a consensus to reject both sites and will debrief at a special meeting, also weighing camping ordinance amendments.
City Council Work Session - Mar 4, 2026
Astoria is seriously considering following Seaside's lead with a managed campsite for people experiencing homelessness. The session covered how Stepping Stones operates day-to-day, what it costs, what the law requires, and a possible timeline with public input starting March 16.
City Council - Mar 2, 2026
Councilor Davis publicly clarified that no site has been chosen for a sanctioned homeless campsite or 'stepping stones' area — only a concept has been discussed in work sessions, with more discussion planned that week.
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