Working with a network of agencies and community partners, the City of Bend has responded to the houselessness crisis by leveraging state and federal funds to increase access and availability of emergency shelter, bolster social services, and support the production of transitional, affordable, and middle housing.

The City’s multifaceted approach includes the purchase of two motels and another site for shelter, developing and funding the operation of low and high barrier shelter beds, and supporting outreach through Safe Parking.

Additionally, the City has also reduced barriers to developing affordable housing and siting shelter and implemented a camping code to address camping in the City rights-of-way.

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Houselessness in Bend

Each year in January, the Homeless Leadership Coalition conducts the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, collecting information about people experiencing homelessness across Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

The 2024 Point-in-Time count identified 959 people experiencing houselessness in Bend, 55% of whom are surviving unsheltered. This represents a 5% decrease in the number of people experiencing houselessness in Bend and a decline in people experiencing houselessness who are unsheltered.

In recent years, the City has leveraged state, local, and federal dollars to expand shelter capacity, including the development of 236 additional shelter beds. The City also provides funding for services and supports the development of affordable and middle housing.

Years of underdevelopment in the United States has caused a significant housing shortage. In Bend, development is needed on every level of the housing continuum from market rate home ownership opportunities to affordable housing. Without more housing, our most vulnerable community members will continue to experience houselessness.

In tight market conditions where housing shortages exist, risk factors can lead an individual losing their housing. Risk factors include poverty, disability, addiction, time spent in foster care, or lack of supportive relationships. When combined with a triggering event, such as loss of job, health crisis or emergency, family or roommate conflict, or domestic violence, it can cause an individual to become houseless.

Full findings from the Point in Time Count are available on the Homeless Leadership Coalition website.

Common Misconceptions About Houselessness