Facing Lawsuit, Portland Agrees To Crack Down on Homeless Camps

Portland, Ore., has agreed to remove homeless tents and debris from sidewalks after residents sued the city for violating the federal Americans with Disabilities and Rehabilitation Acts. Ten residents sued the city in September, saying the homeless encampments violate "their right to equal access to sidewalks." Portland, which has long allowed homeless people to congregate on the sidewalks, on Thursday reached a settlement with the plaintiffs that will see the city commit to removing at least 500 camps, local news station KGW8 reported.