James Armstrong, a small business owner running for a seat in District 2, recently outlined his approach to addressing the city’s homelessness crisis in an email to supporters. Armstrong introduced terms he coined to categorize the homeless population into three groups: “The Have Nots,” “The Can Nots,” and “The Will Nots.”
According to Armstrong, “The Have Nots” are individuals struggling financially who need help meeting basic needs. “The Can Nots” face significant challenges, such as addiction or untreated mental health issues, that prevent them from caring for themselves. “The Will Nots” are people who, despite having access to other options, choose not to engage with available services and prefer to live outside societal norms.
“We need to be united in telling those that Will Not adhere to our basic community standards that if they are unwilling to utilize the services offered, they cannot continue this behavior in our city,” Armstrong wrote.
Armstrong’s platform includes repurposing the Portland Expo Center into a comprehensive service hub for people experiencing homelessness. Drawing inspiration from San Antonio’s Haven for Hope, he suggests that the Expo Center could house a range of services—including shelter, healthcare, and addiction recovery—all in one location. He believes this approach could significantly reduce homelessness in Portland while easing the burden on neighborhoods and businesses.
