Homelessness may well be the central issue in this year's race for Portland mayor as we progress toward May's primary.

It makes sense. Not only is the issue as visible as it's ever been in Portland, but both of the race's main contenders—state Treasurer Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Commissioner Jules Bailey—profess a deep concern for fixing a system that's housing more people than ever, yet watches as homelessness grows.

Bailey and Wheeler have been plenty vocal on the issue, though so far haven't said much that's surprising.

Bailey's involved with the A Home For Everyone coalition, which has been busy dissecting data and putting together a plan it says could slash homelessness in half in years to come (provided there's enough money to do so). We took a look at that plan in November, and Bailey's been touting it when asked how he plans to address homelessness.

Wheeler, meanwhile, says his work at a Goose Hollow shelter partly inspired him to enter the race for Portland mayor (also: governor wasn't available). He's pledged to ramp up Portland's short-term shelter beds so that no one's forced to sleep on the streets—a laudable goal, but one for which the treasurer can't offer a great many specifics.

One major question Wheeler and Bailey need to answer is where they stand on the formalized homeless encampments Mayor Charlie Hales' office has said it may allow while the city works to increase access to affordable housing and shelter space. The mayor's race, after all, is playing out during a fairly dramatic shift in how the city of Portland deals with homelessness.

Wheeler took a first step toward working through that question this weekend, visiting the Hazelnut Grove camp on North Greeley. Wheeler says he made the visit after speaking with members of the Overlook Neighborhood Association who've stridently opposed the camp. And in the following video shot by advocate Vahid Brown, Wheeler shows some ambivalence—while he appreciated the tour, and seems impressed by the camp's setup, Wheeler says he's "struggling with the idea that we're allowing people to live outside in the elements." (We've reached out to Bailey for his take on organized camps.)

Here's the video: