Urban Alchemy Wins Portland Mass Camp Project Amid Lawsuit Concerns

To get a physical copy of the issue released each Wednesday, locate your nearest vendor here or read more online at streetroots.org. 

This interview featured Piper McDaniel, Street Roots Investigative Reporter. Read more of Piper's work at Street Roots. 

Last Week's Episode deep diving into the City of Portland's plans for these encampments, local questions and concerns. 

About Urban Alchemy: 

• Urban Alchemy [San Francisco-based nonprofit bidding for 5 out of 6 of Portland's planned sites, model that City of Portland is considering]

• Urban Alchemy Financials 2019-Present

• Urban Alchemy's "No F*ckery" Philosophy

From the City of Portland & Local Plans: 

• Mayor Wheeler announces selection of Urban Alchemy & First Mass Encampment Site

• City Approves Mayor Wheeler's $27M ‘Down Payment’ to Help Build Six Designated Camping Sites

• JOHS 2022 Point in Time Count (Portland & Multnomah County)

• Planned Location for First Site (1490 SE Gideon St.)

Lawsuits, Complaints, & Incidents

• OPB Coverage on Urban Alchemy Lawsuits [1/23/23]

• Supergirl Lawsuit Settlement 

• Video of Urban Alchemy incident with transgender activist Shawn Sunshine Strickland (whole video from short clip included in episode)

• Class Action Lawsuit from Former UA Employees 

• SF Bay Area City's Homeless Residents Express Concerns about Urban Alchemy [Pacific Sun, 6/1/22]

• Concerns for Urban Alchemy's Security Training in San Francisco [San Francisco Standard, 3/7/22]

• Urban Alchemy Worker Charged with Attempted Murder After Alleged Shooting on Break [SF Chronicle, 2/17/23]

Episode Credits: 

This episode was hosted and produced by XRAY Development Manager, Nina Dabit, with reporting done by Street Roots Investigative Reporter Piper McDaniel. This episode was edited by Kyle Gilmer of Residual Audio.