Deschutes County approved a new “supported” homeless camp to operate in southern Bend off of Highway 97 this week. It will be on a triangle of land just south of the Les Schwab Tire Center located next to the Murphy Road and Highway 97 roundabout.
On Wednesday, we got a much clearer idea of what the camp may look like and how it could operate. The City of Bend provided a copy of the plan from the Coordinated Houseless Response Office, which the county approved. Now, it will be up to the Bend City Council to determine whether to go forward with the proposal on city property.
RELATED: ‘Supported’ homeless camp in south Bend location approved
Here is the program model for this camp.
The camp will provided limited basic needs including:
- Clean drinking water
- Portable restrooms
- Hand washing stations
- Waste disposal containers
- Stations to charge medical devices
There will be connections to services including medical and dental health; behavioral health; employment and income; case management; money management and budgeting; and housing search and placement.
The program model claims this will lead to reduced crime, sanitation problems and neighbor complaints.
A map provided by the city shows the layout of how the camp will be situated.
- 20 spaces for RV or travel trailers
- 10 spaces for tents
- Eight portable restrooms
- Four waste disposal stations
- Temporary parking spaces for mobile services
The entrance will be located on the northeast corner of the camp, coming off the south entrance to the Les Schwab parking lot.
The camp operator will be responsible for acquiring insurance for the property, liability and more. It will also have to set-up and manage the basic needs amenities. The operator must also respond to emergencies and community concerns.
Central Oregon Daily’s Colby Enebrad and Brooke Snavely are getting more reaction from county commissioners and local businesses and residents about the proposed camp. You can watch their reports on KOHD/ABC at 5:00 p.m., KBNZ/CBS at 6:00 p.m. and both channels at 11:00 p.m. Wednesday.
You can see the full proposal at here.
South Bend supported homeless camp proposal
