The tight housing market in Portland is putting a squeeze on the city\u27s shelters

The tight housing market in Portland is putting a squeeze on the city\u27s shelters. According to Portland social service statistics, Portland shelters had a 17 percent increase in bed nights during fiscal year 1999 over the same period last year. Clients range from those with mental illnesses and chronic substance issues, to entire families. Mark Swann of the Preble Street Resource Center said he\u27s seeing a different population of people who can\u27t afford the skyrocketing rents in Portland