(Portland, OR)  --  Mayor Charlie Hales is announcing a State of Emergency for housing and homelessness in the city.  The number of homeless people living on city streets continues to grow, alongside rising rent prices.  Hales is proposing a declaration of emergency to push through several measures including waiving zoning codes and converting city-owned buildings into shelters.  Among all of his goals he says homeless veterans and women are a top priority.  The council will discuss the proposal early next month.