Our Plan to End Homelessness

Partners across the region came together to update previous plans, listed below, to create a 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.

This plan builds on a vision of a prosperous Central Oregon with ample housing for all that has been embraced by diverse, cross-sector leaders. The Plan is built on three pillars that are vital to Central Oregon’s future success: Enduring, Unified Governance; Solid System Infrastructure; and Robust Continuum of Housing and Services. It recognizes the region’s unique assets as well as threats and offers an actionable roadmap for promoting new home production even while making difficult decisions under reduced funding to effectively address the causes and conditions of homelessness with transparency and accountability.

The Plan was developed by the Homeless Leadership Council (HLC) of Central Oregon and Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) with assistance from Nexus Health Strategies. It is a multi-year strategic plan for addressing homelessness in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties plus The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs which fulfills a requirement of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Desiring to reach beyond HUD minimum requirements, HLC and COIC saw the need and opportunity to create a broad, actionable plan that incorporates avenues to increase housing supply overall and capitalizes on the growing public interest in issues surrounding homelessness and housing affordability.

HLC Vision:

An economically prosperous Central Oregon, where everyone has access to safe, stable housing and the support they need to thrive.

HLC & Partners’ Joint Mission:

To create a seamless continuum of housing by working together to solve complex challenges that are too big for any one jurisdiction to address by itself. We convene the region to align resources, coordinate services, and advocate for the housing and support systems needed to end homelessness.

Process:

A combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses were used to assess the effectiveness of the region’s homeless system, and test opportunities for improvement. Dozens of interviews were conducted with knowledgeable individuals. A plethora of past and current local, regional, and state planning documents related to housing and homelessness were reviewed.

Findings were presented to various groups, including the Regional Housing Council, the Coordinated Houseless Response Office, the Multi Agency Coordinating Group, HLC Board and general membership, and more, gathering feedback and reactions. Three half-day workshops were held with distinct groups where possible strategies were discussed and debated amongst participants. Feedback and learnings from each workshop were built into successive sessions.

Participants at multiple levels voiced agreement with the strategic plan elements, including the organizing pillars, strategic objectives, initiatives, and measures of success. That said, additional work is required to address critical outstanding issues. These are discussed more fully in the Recommendations section of the Plan.

This Plan is the culmination of hundreds of hours of meetings, interviews, workshops, and focus groups with an incredible array of interested and committed Central Oregonians. From public servants to faith-based non-profits; homebuilding business executives to behavioral health workers; elected officials to those with recent lived experience of homelessness. These individuals and organizations brought unique stories, perspectives, and wisdom that informed the structure and content of this plan.

Acknowledgements:

The development of the Plan was guided by a planning team consisting of the following subject matter experts, which met frequently to provide feedback and advice throughout the nine-month process.

• Eliza Wilson, HLC Chair and Executive Director, Rooted Homes
• John Lodise, HLC Vice Chair and Executive Director, Shepherd’s House Ministries
• Autumn Camreta, Director of Housing, NeighborImpact
• Gwen Jones, Central Oregon Health Council
• Alex Canales, Central Oregon Youth Action Board

In 2023, Central Oregon was awarded nearly $1m in funding from HUD dedicated to addressing Youth Homelessness, through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). The first phase of YHDP required Central Oregon to work with youth and young adults, service providers, local governments, and community-members to come up with a plan to address Youth Homelessness. See the current draft of Central Oregon’s Coordinated Community Plan, here.

The High Desert Home was the region’s previous roadmap to preventing and ending homelessness for our neighbors.

High Desert Home, approved in 2015, is an update to the original plan, approved in 2011. You can find both plans below.

To achieve this, Central Oregon has developed six goals that will create the conditions and supports that prevent homelessness from occurring, and, if someone does become homeless, help them quickly move into safe and stable housing. We are aiming to:

• End chronic homelessness;
• End homelessness among Veterans;
• End homelessness for unaccompanied youth;
• End homelessness among families with children;
• Set a sustainable path to preventing and ending homelessness for all populations.