City of Portland Pays to Clean Streets, Offering Dignity and Income

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00:00City of Portland. Pays to clean streets, offering dignity and income. Across the U.S., rising

00:07unemployment and high housing costs fuel homelessness, stripping people of shelter,

00:12dignity, and hope, often leading to substance abuse and violence.

00:19Portland's homelessness soared 65 percent from 2015 to 2023, leaving 6,200-plus people

00:27unsheltered as funding cuts strain public services and neighborhoods fill with tents.

00:35GroundScore, a non-profit founded by former homeless individuals with support from Trash

00:40for Peace, provides dignified jobs in recycling and waste management,

00:44helping the city and its homeless community.

00:50In 2021, GroundScore launched Glitter,

00:54GroundScore leading inclusively together through environmental recovery,

00:57hiring homeless individuals to clean streets and collect trash, providing pay, purpose,

01:02and inclusion in the community.

01:07Workers earn $20 to $29 per hour through Portland-supported contracts, gaining pay, purpose,

01:13and dignity. Co-founder Barbara Weber says the work brings joy and a path back to stability.

01:19Glitter has employed 55 people, 95 percent of whom are or were homeless. Over 70 percent gained

01:29permanent housing. With access to health care, mental health, addiction help, and legal aid,

01:3559 percent reduced substance use.

01:41GroundScore is transforming lives and Portland's environment, removing over 1.6 million pounds of

01:46trash in 2022 to 2023, cutting landfill waste, and recycling 9.5 million-plus bottles and cans in 2024.

01:59Albuquerque's A Better Way Forward and Seattle's Just Care programs focus on dignity,

02:04income, and care, providing jobs, transitional housing, and permanent solutions for the homeless.