For the sixth straight year, the Central Oregon Homeless Leadership Coalition is conducting a one-day count of people who are homeless or in transitional housing in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. This count is a part of a national effort to identify the number of people struggling to find appropriate and adequate housing.

Throughout the day on Thursday, January 27th, 2011 volunteers will be conducting confidential and anonymous surveys in Bend, LaPine, Sisters, Redmond, Prineville, and Madras.  This one-day count will provide the most up-to-date information about the number of individuals in Central Oregon who are struggling to find adequate housing. Through this data, local agencies and programs are able to qualify for increased funding, better target support services, and develop comprehensive plans to address poverty and homelessness in Central Oregon.

Individuals and families counted through this effort include people living in:
Weekly motels
Shelters
Transitional housing
“Doubled up” with other families
Camping or sleeping in cars
Other places not designed for long-term human habitation.

The Homeless Leadership Coalition often relies on friends and families to aid in identifying people who should be included as a part of this One Night Homeless Count. If you, or someone you know, should be included in the count, please contact (541) 504-1389, or visit the nearest Command Center site on January 27th to complete a confidential and anonymous survey. To be counted as a part of this effort, it has to occur on Thursday, January 27th, 2011. Please do not try and be counted before that day. Free food, water, blankets and sleeping bags, cold weather gear, pet food, hygiene kits, and other items will be available at various Command Center sites throughout Central Oregon, while supplies last.

For additional information about the impact of homelessness in Central Oregon, please visit the Homeless Leadership Coalition’s web site at www.cohomeless.org. This site will provide the most up-to-date details about the location of command centers, contact numbers, and additional information about the count.

Deschutes County Command Center Sites:
Bend- Trinity Episcopal Church/Family Kitchen- 231 NW Idaho-Light snacks starting at 10:00am and dinner served from 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Bend- COCC Campus Center– Office of Student Life– 11:00 to 12:00 and 3:00 to 4:30.
Lapine- Lapine Community Kitchen- 16480 Finley Butte Road –Lunch served noon to 2:00pm
Redmond- Senior Center- 325 NW Dogwood– Soup served from noon to 5:00pm and Jericho’s Table dinner served from 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Sisters- Kiwanis Food Bank- 225 N Oak Street– 9:00am to 2:00pm