The delegation also learned the City of Prince George is moving in the right direction and has made significant progress in implementing important initiatives to end homelessness.

“The opportunity to see first-hand the way Portland has battled the challenge of housing the homeless was invaluable,” said Mayor Colin Kinsley, who participated in the delegation, along with a multi-sectoral group of community stakeholders including the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, An Association Advocating for Women and Children (a member agency of Community Partners Addressing Homelessness), BC Housing, Northern Health (Mental Health and Addictions), the City of Prince George,the RCMP, Downtown Prince George, and the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

In 2005, the City of Portland began implementing a comprehensive community development plan that emphasizes collaboration and cooperation amongst key stakeholders such as the Portland Police Bureau,the Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development, the Portland Business Alliance, and a range of community service providers.

The Prince George delegation was in Portland to investigate how a similar housing strategy might be applied within the context of the City of Prince George’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan.

Delegates  visited  several agencies involved in Portland's housing strategy, and learned that while solutions are expensive in the short term,  they are effective in enabling people to exit homelessness, thereby  reducing costs in the long term.