Central Oregon sees first decline in homelessness in five years

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- State investments have permanently housed 1,800 people in Central Oregon this year, contributing to a 19.1% overall decrease in regional homelessness.

The Homeless Leadership Coalition reported the findings last week during an update to the House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness. The decrease marks the first decline in homelessness in Central Oregon in five years, following a period when regional homelessness had increased by more than 89% annually.

Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Southern Jackson County, serves as chair of the House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness. Marsh commended the collaboration between government agencies, regional organizations and local volunteers in delivering care. “This is what we want to see: our state investments making an impact and housing people in our communities,” Marsh said. “I am enormously grateful to the local organizations, cities and counties, nonprofits, churches and community volunteers who sustain these services and take care of our neighbors.”

Since 2022, Central Oregon has experienced some of the highest rates of unsheltered youth and family homelessness in the nation. Local organizations previously lacked the infrastructure and resources needed to address the crisis effectively. State funding delivered through the Statewide Shelter Program served as a key funding mechanism to support regional shelters and services. Rep. Emerson Levy, D-Bend, South Redmond, Tumalo & Sisters, emphasized the need to preserve state support for those initiatives. “Central Oregon has seen tangible results, including a 19% reduction in homelessness in our region,” Levy said. “Maintaining support for shelter and services through the Statewide Shelter Program is vital to preserving these gains and ensuring communities can continue responding effectively to local needs. My legislative focus will always be on homeless children and teens and we have an obligation to keep these programs going.”

Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, highlighted the community effort involved in putting state resources to work across the region. “We are continuing to see progress on tackling homelessness in Central Oregon,” Kropf said. “We owe that progress to the people and non-profits in our communities who turn our state investments into more people housed.”