The Homeless Leadership Coalition (HLC) recently released the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count. The Point in Time Count is conducted on a single night in January each year and provides a snapshot of the number of people who are experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness on any given night. This year’s data reflected a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness across the region. According to the Homeless Leadership Coalition, 838 people are experiencing homelessness in Bend, a 16% decrease from last year’s count of 1,001. Bend also saw a decline in the rate of unsheltered homelessness from 545 individuals in 2025 to 424 individuals in 2026.
“Bend is seeing meaningful progress in reducing houselessness, and it’s a direct result of our sustained focus on housing goals that prioritize both short-term support and long-term solutions,” said Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler. “While the new Point in Time Count data is very encouraging, there is still work to be done to make a real impact on the housing crisis that we are seeing in Bend and across the Central Oregon region.”
“The regional multi-agency approach we have taken is the reason why we are starting to see some positive results,” said Bend Mayor Pro Tem and vice chair of the Coordinated Houseless Response Office Megan Perkins. “This work doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It reflects the dedication and coordination of service providers, regional partners, nonprofits and community members all working toward the same outcome.”
The City of Bend continues to work strategically with local partners to advance meaningful, long-term solutions to reduce houselessness. This commitment is reflected in the Bend City Council’s Housing Goals which emphasize:
- Maintaining existing shelter capacity and expanding Safe Parking: There are currently 540 shelter beds and 35 Safe Parking spaces (51 beds) in Bend. This represents an increase from 527 Shelter and Safe Parking beds in January 2025. The Safe Parking program is expected to further expand by 16 spaces before July 2027.
- Expanding affordable housing options: Through its Housing Division’s funding and incentive programs, the City of Bend helped complete 128 dwelling units since July 1, 2025, all of which serve households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
- Issue permits for 3,942 housing units: Since July 1, 2025, the City of Bend has issued 1,760 permits for housing, completing nearly 50% of this goal.
- Increasing access to supportive services and strengthening partnerships across local and regional organizations: In 2025, the City partnered with 11 nonprofit organizations, providing funding for shelter, outreach to unsheltered individuals, support services, and homeless prevention. These programs supported 332 individuals in transitioning to more stable housing situations and prevented 447 people from becoming homeless.
The work of the City’s homeless response programs has continued into 2026. Since January 1, City-funded programs have provided over 24,600 nights of shelter and supported 55 transitions to more stable housing. Additional details on 2026 accomplishments can be found on the City’s Housing Data Hub.
The City of Bend is committed to increasing housing opportunities across the community. For more information on the work of the City of Bend Housing Division head to bendoregon.gov/housing.
Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities & Language Assistance Services:
You can obtain this information in alternate formats such as Braille, electronic format, etc. Free language assistance services are also available. Please email accessibility@bendoregon.gov or call 541-693-2198. Relay Users Dial 7-1-1. All requests are subject to vendor processing times and should be submitted 48-72 hours in advance of events.
Servicios de asistencia lingüística e información sobre alojamiento para personas con discapacidad:
Puede obtener esta información en formatos alternativos como Braille, formato electrónico, etc. También disponemos de servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Póngase en contacto en correo electrónico accessibility@bendoregon.gov o número de teléfono 541-693-2198. Los usuarios del servicio de retransmisión deben marcar el 7-1-1. Por favor, envíe sus solicitudes con 48-72 horas de antelación al evento; todas las solicitudes están sujetas a los tiempos de procesamiento del proveedor.
