The annual Point In Time count for individuals experiencing homelessness shows a decrease for Central Oregon in 2026, due to expanded shelter capacity and housing initiatives, leaders say.
The purpose of the PIT is to learn more about people who are experiencing homelessness and the barriers they face to getting constructive resources. Every January, the Homelessness Leadership Coalition sends staff and volunteers to locations where homeless individuals reside and ask them to participate in the survey. This year 1,706 individuals across Crook, Jefferson and Deschutes counties participated in the HLC’s PIT surveys.
“Seeing the decrease feels incredibly rewarding,” Eliza Wilson, chair for HLC, says. “Over the past two years the Governor has directed investments to historically underfunded parts of the state that have high rates of housing instability and homelessness; those investments are working in Central Oregon.”
The PIT report states that 293 individuals were rehoused between 2025 and 2026. After years of increasing numbers throughout the tri-county area, the number reached an inflection point and started to lower in 2026.
According to Wilson, the data coming from the PIT comes from multiple organizations and service providers that may work with the same individuals experiencing homelessness. Because the efforts are coordinated between agencies, it’s possible to determine that people haven’t just moved out of state or the area, and that the decrease in the PIT count is due to things like rehousing.
Though the numbers lowered significantly, Bend, Prineville and Redmond were reported as having the highest number of people experiencing homelessness.
This year Bend was reported to have 838 people experiencing homelessness compared to 1,001 in 2025.
Prineville and Redmond had 214 and 350 compared respectively. In 2025, Prineville reported 367 while Redmond came back with 375.
Among the leading causes of homelessness, PIT cited economic hardship, personal reasons, eviction and substance use as the most prevalent. Of individuals offering responses, 124 identified as having struggles with mental health disorders, 147 with substance abuse and 78 dealing with a combination.
Other key findings show that 50% of individuals experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon have dwelled here for over 10 years. Around 65% were homeless for a year or longer and 22% are experiencing chronic homelessness.
The PIT also unveiled data coming from some of the most vulnerable, namely, young people and older adults. On the night of Jan. 26, 187 people under 25 were unsheltered. Another 227 people were over 55 years old.
“For many, they are one small emergency away from homelessness,” Wilson told the Source. “There is still work to be done, but for today, I am really happy to share this win. Every single person who gets housed is a shared community success.”
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That’s great news. 293 people were rehoused, do we know how many new units were created by the different organizations with tiny homes, converted motels etc? Do those numbers match up?
Obviously it’s hard to get accurate data but if there was a 20% reduction (400 people) where did the other 100 go? Inaccurate counts (too high last time?, too low this time?).
And given not all the 1,700 want to live in shelters etc what is a realistic goal (given there are nearly 6x the number that found housing remain unhoused)
I have a question regarding this stat: “293 individuals were rehoused between 2025 and 2026.” Does that number include just adults or children as well?