Bend shelter says it’s seen few of the homeless forced to move from China Hat Road, but remains prepared
Isabella Warren
(Update: Adding video, comments from shelter)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — It’s been two weeks since the closure of the Bend area’s largest homeless camp, off China Hat Road. Homeless advocates in Central Oregon are now navigating an increase in demand for services.
“We’ve certainly had people from the camps come into our services throughout the time that we’ve existed,” Lighthouse Navigation Center Director Naomi Blair said Wednesday. “And there are extra layers of challenges in learning how to adapt to community living situations and adapting to kind of our rules and guidelines, to keep our safety intact. “
According to City Manager Eric King, since last week, Bend’s shelters are at 98% capacity. 59 people were placed in permanent housing, 11 others in temporary housing. An estimated 30 new camps have also popped up in Juniper Ridge on Bend’s north side.
The Lighthouse Navigation Center says it’s remained at full capacity, but only recorded three new visitors from China Hat Road: “I think there was that initial anxiety with the magnitude of the numbers and what that might look for us, but, we we have been able to wrap our arms around the one that had the ones that have come our way.”
The Forest Service first announced the planned closure of 30,000 acres south of Bend nearly four years ago, citing the need to reduce wildfire risk and increase prevention.
Since then, the population in the area boomed, with some estimating more than 100 people were camped in the area. It’s been the center of crime, drugs, and large amounts of garbage in the city. Much of the garbage remains, with many having to leave their belongings behind when the May 1 deadline to leave arrived.
“The larger discussions that are happening certainly trickle down and impact us, but we don’t know what to expect,” Blair said. “We’re just working with what we’ve got, and we really stay focused on what we’re able to do.”
The shelter says that with the warmer temperatures in the area, fewer people will be using the facility, and more will be around the streets. This week, they reported 10 open beds.