For the ninth straight year, the Central Oregon Homeless Leadership Coalition is conducting a one-day count of people who are homeless or in transitional housing in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. This count is a part of a national effort to identify the number of people struggling to find appropriate and adequate housing. 

 

Throughout the day on Thursday, January 30th, 2014, volunteers will be conducting confidential and anonymous surveys in Bend, LaPine, Sisters, Redmond, Prineville and Madras. This one-day count will provide the most up-to-date information about the number of individuals in Central Oregon who are struggling to find adequate housing. Through this data, local agencies and programs are able to qualify for increased funding, better target support services, and develop comprehensive plans to address poverty and homelessness in Central Oregon. 

 

Individuals and families counted through this effort include people living in: 

ï‚· Weekly motels 

ï‚· Shelters 

ï‚· Transitional housing 

ï‚· "Doubled up" with other families 

ï‚· Camping or sleeping in cars 

ï‚· Other places not designed for long-term human habitation 

 

The Homeless Leadership Coalition often relies on friends and families to aid in identifying people who should be included as a part of this One Night Homeless Count. If you or someone you know should be included in the count, visit the nearest Command Center site on January 30, to complete a confidential and anonymous survey. To be counted as a part of this effort, it has to occur on Thursday, January 30th, 2014.

Please do not try and be counted before that day. A limited supply of blankets, sleeping bags, pet food, propane, and other items will be available at various Command Center sites throughout Central Oregon, while supplies last. 

Tri-County Command Center Sites: 

Bend: Trinity Episcopal Church/Family Kitchen, 231 NW Idaho Light snacks starting at 10am and dinner served from 5pm to 6:30pm 

LaPine: LaPine Community Kitchen, 16480 Finley Butte Road 

Lunch served 12noon to 2pm 

Redmond: Redmond Senior Center, 325 NW Dogwood 

Lunch served between 12-1 PM and dinner served from 5pm to 6pm 

Sisters: Kiwanis Food Bank, 225 N Oak Street, 9am to 5pm 

Prineville: St. Vincent DePaul, 298 SE 1st St., 9am to 5pm 

Prineville: 422 NW Beaver, 9 am to 5 pm 

Madras: Madras Christian Church, 115 SE C St., 7 am to 7 PM, 

Lunch served from 10 am-2 PM