Houselessness Solutions
The City utilizes a comprehensive set of strategies to address the growing and complex challenges of houselessness in Bend and the region.
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 and conversion of two motels, the purchase and renovation of a 100-bed Navigation Center, developing and funding the operation of low and high barrier shelters, supporting Safe Parking, and funding outreach and prevention services.
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
To better understand homelessness in Central Oregon, the Homeless Leadership Coalition conducts a Point-in-Time (PIT) count every January. Information is collected across Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The count consists of sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a single night. This provides a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
The 2026 PIT identified 838 people experiencing houselessness in Bend, a 16.3% decrease and a 19% reduction across the CoC. Of the 838 who were experiencing houselessness in Bend, 50% report having resided in the area for more than 10 years and 50% are surviving unsheltered.
Bend’s strong community partnerships and direct financial support have anchored a robust houseless response system. The multifaceted approach includes the purchase and conversion of two motels, the purchase and renovation of a 100-bed Navigation Center, developing and funding the operation of low and high barrier shelters, supporting Safe Parking, and funding outreach and prevention services.
Full findings from the Point in Time Count are available on the Homeless Leadership Coalition website.
Common Misconceptions About Houselessness
The majority of our houseless neighbors have lived in the area for years. According to the 2024 PIT Count, 62% of people experiencing houselessness in Deschutes County have lived here for 5 years or longer.
Many people experiencing houselessness are employed and working toward more stable housing opportunities. However, in Central Oregon, they are often met with high housing costs and many rental units require large deposits. Market rent in Bend is approximately $1,686*. The Department of Housing and Urban Development finds that anyone paying more than 30% of their income to housing costs is considered “cost burdened” and anyone paying more than 50% of their income to housing costs is “severely cost burdened.” To avoid being cost burdened, a single individual making minimum wage and working full time would need housing less than $740 per month.
*CoStar. Q1 2024
Addiction is a complex disease and is often accompanied by its own set of misconceptions. Although unchecked addiction can be a triggering event for someone experiencing houselessness, it is often accompanied by other risk factors or events.
The 2023 PIT count showed that only 8% of people experiencing houselessness in Central Oregon identified having a disabling substance abuse disorder.