‘Homeless But Not Hopeless’ On High Desert
Around town, he’s known as Cheeto, and he’s called this corner on Greenwood and 27th “home” for nearly two years.
“It seems like paradise is gone when you see so many people needing help, Hopefully we’ll get back to paradise soon,” Cheeto said Wednesday.
Cheeto says he used to be part of a dying breed but now, he’s noticing a shift.
“It’s insane,” he said. “It used to be just a few people, and I had to resolve to doing it — and (now) every corner you see is packed.”
According to the state Department of Housing and Community Services, homelessness in Oregon has increased nearly 30 percent over the past two years.
The report counts families and individuals staying in shelters, on the street, in cars and other unsafe places.
Local shelters say the recession is to blame.
“Usually around this time (of year), we start to see our numbers sort of decline,” said Bethlehem Inn Director Chris Clouart. “That has not been happening with us. What you’re watching is a general breakdown in the ability of the people of a certain class to be able to sustain their living situations, because the job market is still so soft.”
With fewer state resources and stubbornly high unemployment, meeting the demand is a struggle with limited supply.
Hundreds on the High Desert are still dealing with the staggering economy — spending less, saving more and turning to outlets like Goodwill for job opportunities.
“There is probably a stigma that we only help people with disabilities,” said Goodwill Employment Specialist Kim Fothergill. “But we do help anybody, so anybody that has the inability to find work.”
Despite unfortunate circumstances, some of the homeless on the High Desert say Bend is a very giving community.
As for Cheeto, he’s living up to his motto, “Homeless but not hopeless.”
“It can’t get much worse, so every day seems to be getting a little better now that I’ll be able to go back to work, I hope. I’m just hoping,” Cheeto said.
For more information on the Bethlehem Inn, visit http://www.bethleheminn.org/pin/.
For more information on Goodwill’s Job Connection, visit www.meet.goodwill.org.
