The faces of houselessness are vast. Millions across the globe, and hundreds of thousands in the United States are affected by houselessness. From the elderly to young families.
Why are there so many homeless people in Central Oregon?
Central Oregon's Homeless Leadership Coalition (HLC) conducted a survey in 2020 that asked just this question. Overwhelmingly the reason was one of economic instability. From losing a job due to COVID or not being able to keep up with housing costs.
The number one reason for houselessness in Central Oregon is Economic
Bend is in the 96th percentile for Fair Market Rental costs in the U.S
With such a high demand and low supply for housing . Families and individuals are being forced out of their homes. As of May 2022, no homes were listed at Fair Market Rent on the top rental websites. A one bedroom apartment or ADU as of September 2021 goes for anywhere between $1300-1600/month- Well over the FMR of $1042
In addition to the cost of housing. Many people are in need of healthcare to cover expensive medications, medical procedures, or for mental health counseling. Without these much needed services, their ability to secure housing can be in jeopardy.
So what is being done to help?
Every houseless person is going to be at a different step in the process of getting back on their feet. The process can be thought of as a continuum. Some agencies engage in street outreach, others in overnight shelter, some in temporary housing, and still others help connect our most vulnerable neighbors with additional resources they need.
Bethlehem Inn provides a place where people can feel both safe and at home while working to find independent stability, hope, and housing.
Our mission: To transform lives together through shelter, help, and hope.
We serve people experiencing homelessness with compassion.
We acknowledge the individual dignity of each resident and work to preserve it always.
We require accountability from our residents, staff and board, and we are accountable to each other and to the community.
We work with integrity, inside the facility and in the community.
We do not judge client needs based on appearances; we help all who come willingly to Bethlehem Inn, subject to resources.
We advocate and work collaboratively with residents to improve overall wellness
Through their work with case managers at Bethlehem Inn, residents rebuild their safety nets and get back on their feet.
Staff at Bethlehem Inn have weekly meetings with residents establishing steps to accomplish long term goals. Success is possible, sometimes you just need a hand up!
Stories of Hope
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WE COULD USE YOUR HELP
Over the coming months Bethlehem Inn will be expanding into Redmond in an effort to provide life affirming services to an expanding population.
The number of individuals experiencing houselessness has continued to grow as the rate of expansion in Central Oregon outpaces housing options and while services for addiction, mental health, and other basic needs remain limited. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted these needs as access to in-person resources have been drastically cut. Now, more than ever, a safe and secure place to establish oneself fiscally, mentally, and emotionally is needed.
Credits:
Created with images by Leroy_Skalstad - "people homeless male" • Leroy_Skalstad - "people homeless woman" • Victoria_Borodinova - "portrait marginal informal" • Leroy_Skalstad - "people portrait street" • Leroy_Skalstad - "man black portrait" • jarmoluk - "architect building joy" • nvxier - "chefs portraits cook" • buy_me_some_coffee - "man depressed sad" • jennyfriedrichs - "hands hand folds" • tiyowprasetyo - "counseling stress angry" • cocoparisienne - "hands cohesion together" • simple_tunchi0 - "little girl kid smile"