A Comprehensive Approach
As the landscape of Central Oregon evolves, we are confronted with a dual challenge: addressing homelessness while sustaining our vibrant small to medium-sized businesses.
As a former Bend City Councilor, Candidate for Mayor, and long-time business leader, I recognize the urgency of this issue and advocate for a comprehensive approach that balances compassion with practical solutions that a point in time count doesn’t address.
Homelessness impacts our community in profound ways, touching the lives of individuals while also affecting the vitality of our local businesses. It is imperative that we address this issue holistically, recognizing the complex interplay between social welfare and economic prosperity.
Central to our response is collaboration. By fostering partnerships between government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations, we can leverage collective resources and expertise to develop innovative solutions. Through dialogue and cooperation, we can create a shared vision for addressing homelessness in Central Oregon just as was done via the collaborative work of our Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC).
Affordable housing lies at the heart of our efforts. As a former elected official and invested business leader, I am committed to helping expand access to housing options for those experiencing homelessness and who respect the laws. This includes advocating for increased funding for affordable housing initiatives and working with developers to prioritize the construction of low-income housing units. By investing in housing solutions, we provide qualified and invested individuals with the stability and security they need to rebuild their lives. However, housing alone is not sufficient.
Many individuals experiencing homelessness, and need a hand-up, struggle with underlying issues such as mental illness and substance abuse. Therefore, we must also prioritize access to mental health treatment, substance abuse programs, and job training opportunities. By addressing the root causes of homelessness, we empower individuals to overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency.
Prevention is equally important. By investing in prevention and early intervention programs, we can mitigate the long-term costs associated with homelessness. This includes initiatives such as rental assistance programs, eviction prevention services, and outreach efforts to connect individuals at risk of homelessness with supportive services before they reach crisis point.
In addressing homelessness, we must also consider the concerns raised by our local businesses that aren’t being heard. Small to medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of Central Oregon, and their sustainability is essential to our region’s economic prosperity. Safety, cleanliness, and economic impact are among the top concerns voiced by business owners.
Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in this endeavor. By fostering collaboration between government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations, we can develop targeted strategies to address the specific challenges faced by businesses impacted by homelessness. This includes implementing measures to enhance security, improve cleanliness, and provide resources to help businesses navigate the complexities of homelessness in their vicinity. In navigating the intersection of homelessness and business concerns, we must find common ground. Two public-private partnership examples is when I served as Bend City Councilor putting parking policy in place at Miller’s Landing Park and the Old Bend Neighborhood. With my leadership and collaborative efforts with Bend Police, Bend Parks & Rec, the City of Bend, and the business community we successfully reduced homeless camping in the area which resulted in safe and clean areas for our community and guests to enjoy.
By fostering dialogue and collaboration, like the Miller’s Landing Park and Old Bend Neighborhood examples, we can develop solutions that benefit all members of Central Oregon. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Central Oregon where businesses flourish, communities thrive, and everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
As we gear up for this election season, I recommend asking the following questions to our 2024 candidates.
- How do you plan to collaborate with local stakeholders, including nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations, to address homelessness in Central Oregon?
- What specific strategies do you propose to provide affordable housing options for those experiencing homelessness in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook County?
- How do you intend to allocate limited resources to ensure that vetted homeless individuals have access to essential services such as mental health treatment, substance abuse programs, and job training opportunities?
- What measures will you implement to mitigate homelessness and provide early intervention for individuals at risk of becoming homeless in our community?
- How do you plan to balance the need to address homelessness while also addressing concerns raised by small to medium-sized businesses regarding safety, cleanliness, and economic impact?
In conclusion, addressing homelessness and sustaining our local businesses are not mutually exclusive goals — they are complementary aspects of building a vibrant and inclusive community. As business owners and residents of Central Oregon, we must be committed to approaching this issue with empathy, pragmatism, and collaboration. Together, we can create a future where everyone, who accepts a hand up, has a place to call home and where our businesses can thrive.
Let us work together to build a stronger Central Oregon for generations to come.
The above article was prepared by the author in his/her own personal capacity. The opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cascade Business News or of Cascade Publications Inc.
