HOUSELESSNESS UPDATE

Emergency Homelessness Task Force

The City is part of the Emergency Homelessness Task Force with Deschutes County, the City of Redmond and partners that serve members of our unhoused community. Dozens of housing and houselessness experts, nonprofits, service providers and volunteers shared their insights with the Task Force which is all compiled in “Addressing Houselessness in Deschutes County,” found online at houselessindeschutes.org. Read about this growing crisis and how we can address houselessness together.

Inside Bend: Housing for 500

This month’s episode of Inside Bend, the City’s podcast, features a discussion with three City staff members about what is being done to create more shelter options for those who are experiencing homelessness.

Affordable Housing Coordinator Amy Fraley dives into the creation of the City’s first navigation center.

Recovery Strategy and Impact Officer Carolyn Eagan explains what is being done to create outdoor shelters.

And finally, Senior Management Analyst Shelly Smith describes the City’s Safe Parking Program and some of its early successes.

You are not going to want to miss this episode! You can listen at bendoregon.gov/inside-bend or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify. 

COUNCIL UPDATE

Because of the broad community interest in housing and houselessness, City Councilors have added a new standing agenda item to Council business meetings to provide regular updates on City Council’s work on addressing houselessness. The City aims to increase Bend’s capacity of temporary housing options. The Council Goal is to develop facilities and housing for 500 individuals experiencing homelessness.

Here is the update from February 2 which includes news about a contract with NeighborImpact to operate a temporary shelter that will add up to 40 additional shelter beds on Division Street in Bend. Here is a summary of news from February 16, and an accompanying video.

Help Us Name the New Emergency Shelter

Help us pick a name for the new emergency shelter on Division Street! From now until March 31, 2022, you can submit name ideas for the shelter. Submissions should reflect the community served, the location of the shelter, or something aspirational or hopeful.

The shelter on Division Street is a former motel that was purchased with $2.97 million in state funding from Project Turnkey. It will be renovated remodeled to use as a managed emergency shelter.

Learn more and submit your name ideas on the Project Turnkey webpage!

Affordable Housing Fund

City Council approved 2022 Affordable Housing Fund recommendations from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for three projects, totaling $1.1 million, to support the creation of 47 to 50 affordable housing units. Recipients include:

• Bend Redmond Habitat for Humanity; for down payment assistance to support eight families in purchasing townhomes in northeast Bend,
• Housing Impact, LLC; for the construction of 31 to 34 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for the chronically houseless in southeast Bend, and
• Kôr Community Land Trust; for the re-development, site-improvement, and infrastructure of their third community located in southwest Bend, which will include eight affordable housing units.

Read more in this news story.

STEVEN’S ROAD TRACT
CONCEPT PLAN

The City of Bend is hosting a second online open house on the Stevens Road Tract Concept Plan website where community members can learn more about the progress on the project, and provide important feedback on development options. The virtual open house is online now until February 20, 2022 at bendoregon.gov/stevens-tract.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE READINESS PLAN

To increase electric vehicle use in Bend, the City is developing an Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan for supporting a broad transition to electric vehicles across the community. This transition will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the City achieve its climate action goals. This plan will work to ensure that access to electric vehicle charging is equitably distributed across the community, and that the benefits of electrified transportation are shared by everyone.

The City is incorporating feedback from key stakeholders and Council advisory committees into the plan. Community members can also give input through this online feedback form through March 11.

If you are interested in learning more about the project, you can watch a recording of the Environment and Climate Committee meeting from earlier this month.

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CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY

Recently, Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a home where the heating system had failed and the carbon monoxide detector sounded the alarm, prompting the occupants to leave the house – potentially saving their lives. The people in the home had no other indication that anything was wrong, but Fire Department personnel recorded carbon monoxide at dangerous levels. 

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that can be harmful or fatal after prolonged or high-level exposures. This gas is present in nearly every home and building in the world. If you are exposed to high levels over time or extreme levels for even just a short while, you can be in danger.

Bend Fire & Rescue offers free assistance for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms!

Bend Fire has several programs aimed at ensuring every home has carbon monoxide alarms and the information they need. Call 541-322-6386 to set up a free home safety visit.

• Are you selling your house? When you sell your home all of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms need to be compliant with Oregon law. Bend Fire & Rescue can assist for free in making sure they are compliant and help replace older alarms, so you are ready to put the house on the market.
• How old are your carbon monoxide alarms? They are designed to last between five and seven years depending on the manufacturer. After that they can start malfunctioning or not working at all. Most carbon monoxide alarms will start to chirp to indicate they are past their life span and need to be replaced. Bend Fire & Rescue can help check your alarms and ensure they are working properly. If they need to be replaced, we can assist for free.  

Learn more safety tips or watch this video tutorial.

WATER CONSERVATION

Save Water and Money

Are you interested in saving water and money? 

You can easily track your water usage information online through the City of Bend’s WaterSmart customer engagement portal.

By keeping up to date on how much water is being used you can save on your water and sewer bill. Through WaterSmart, you can customize high-use notifications to alert you about unplanned water use or track water efficiency at your place of business.

It’s free and easy to sign up! Go to bendoregon.gov/watersmart and log in with your water account number and zip code to save today!

Watershed Wise Landscaping Workshops

Don’t miss this year’s FREE virtual Watershed Wise workshop series brought to you by City of Bend’s Water Conservation Program! 

Space is limited, and registration is necessary. Register for one or all three today by visiting: WaterWiseTips.org.

CLEAN WATER WORKS 
VIDEO CONTEST

The Clean Water Works Video Contest returns!

Kids in fourth through 12th grade can create a 30-second video that addresses an important environmental concern for our community. This year’s theme is “Love Your River – A How-to Guide.”

The grand prize winner receives the opportunity to work with a local Emmy award-winning producer to turn their film into a professional Public Service Announcement. Kids who are interested in film or the environment can experience this great opportunity by entering today! The deadline to enter is March 31.  

Visit bendoregon.gov/CleanWaterWorksKids for more information and application materials.

Check out last year’s winning submission.