What started with a few people huddled under tarps and blankets has become a village outside Portland's City Hall as a protest mounts over affordable housing and laws regulating where homeless people can sleep.

“I use this as my first amendment. You know? Freedom of speech,” said homeless protestor Shadow Dog.

They’ve been pushed and pushed and pushed.

“Give us what we need. Not what we want, but what we need. That’s all we’re asking”, continues Shadow Dog from his stoop in front of city hall.

Dog and the others are exempt from the city’s sit/lie restrictions because their gathering is considered a protest.

“We’re tired of being pushed. Give us the right type of housing. Make affordable living”, shouts protestor Dwayne Reynolds.

Their concerns vary. Some want the right to sleep under bridges. Some want co-ed shelters. Some want to see the construction of a permanent city owned shelter.

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“Look at the truth. The truth is there’s a lot of people that aren’t rich. There’s a lot of people that are poor”, Reynolds continued to shout.

"You may have a job. You may be sitting fine having your sirloin steak and eating eggs, but one day this could be you or somebody in your family,” Dog said.

For six days they’ve demonstrated on the sidewalk in front of city hall. They now have the attention of those inside.

"We've got agencies our social service agencies and other providers are out connecting with them to get a clear sense of what their specific needs are," said Jamaal Folsom.

Folsom is an assistant to Mayor Tom Potter. He says already the city has agreed to examine the denial of Section 8 housing vouchers by local landlords. By Thursday, a decision was also expected with regards to a temporary winter shelter normally open November to March.

In response to the protest, the city was also working with local service agencies to open the shelter for the months of May and June.