The avg rent in Portland is higher than the national average, it sits around $1,700 per month. The high prices combined with the short selection of affordable options is what has made the homeless situation worse according to that recent Homelessness is a Housing Problem study.
Rent is high almost everywhere in the world, but $1700 USD per month is the craziest I have heard so far.
The crisis is absorbing a great deal of city resources in multiple ways and ignoring the problem while it grows is not a viable solution.
Affordable rent prices and properly paying jobs could provide a proper home to many people, who are currently homeless. This would be the best solution to the homeless problem.