Central Oregon sees significant drop in homelessness, count reveals
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Homeless Leadership Coalition has announced the results of the 2026 Point-in-Time Count for Central Oregon, revealing a 19.1% decrease in homelessness from 2025. The count recorded 1,706 people experiencing homelessness across Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The data was collected between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2, 2026, focusing on where individuals slept on the night of Jan. 26, 2026.
The Point-in-Time Count is an annual nationwide effort mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all jurisdictions receiving federal funding for housing and services. It provides a crucial snapshot of homelessness, helping the federal government understand its nature and extent. Eliza Wilson, Chair of the Homeless Leadership Coalition, Central Oregon's CoC, stated that the decrease shows the impact of collaborative efforts.
"The 19% decrease in homelessness reflected in the 2026 PIT Count shows what is possible when government invests in regional housing services and communities work together toward shared solutions," Wilson said. "This progress is a direct result of sustained public investment, strong partnerships and the unwavering commitment of dedicated service providers across the region who work every day to connect people with housing, stability and support. While there is still more work ahead, these numbers demonstrate that our collective efforts are making a real difference."
The decrease is attributed to expanded shelter capacity and new housing initiatives implemented between the 2025 and 2026 counts.
Of the 1,706 people experiencing homelessness, 1,286 individuals were unsheltered. Another 570 people were residing in shelters across the region.
The count also revealed demographic details about the unhoused community. Half of the respondents, 50%, reported living in Central Oregon for 10 or more years. Additionally, 65% of those surveyed have experienced homelessness for one year or longer.
The data indicates that 22% of the unhoused community is experiencing chronic homelessness. Among specific age groups, 187 people under age 25 were counted as unsheltered. The count also found 227 people over age 55 were unsheltered.
Further challenges were identified, with 480 individuals reporting struggles with substance use, mental health disorders, or both. Despite these challenges, 293 individuals were rehoused between the 2025 and 2026 Point-in-Time Counts.
