Group Says Homeless Population Increasing in Central Oregon
BEND, Ore. (AP) – A regional group that tracks one-night homelessness for the federal government says the homeless population in Central Oregon increased 12% from last year – including jumps in the number of unaccompanied children and people considered “chronically” homeless.
The Bulletin reports that the Homeless Leadership Coalition this week released the results of its annual point-in-time survey tracking homeless people in Central Oregon.
This year, 880 people reported being homeless, compared with 787 last year.
The category of people considered “chronically” homeless – or homeless for more than a year – increased 15%, to 160.
Each year the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development selects a date, always in winter, when service providers count local homeless populations.
