homelessness

Ongoing vandalism and harassment against area shops and restaurants are straining relationships between businesses and the homeless community. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, a new group of business owners is imploring officials to confront an issue they say only keeps getting worse.

Dozens of county officials are in Eugene this week, for the annual Association of Oregon Counties conference.  As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, the keynote issue is housing.

Homeless services in the state have gotten some much needed financial help, including some in Lane County. Oregon Housing and Community Services awarded over $1.7 million to organizations across the state to help aid emergency homeless shelters.

The waste and refuse left at homeless encampments has been an issue for many local governments, including the City of Eugene.  Earlier this summer we reported on ongoing efforts to clean up several islands in the Willamette River. But it’s also a problem beyond city limits.  Recently, KLCC’s Brian Bull ventured out into the Willamette National Forest to check on clean-up efforts there as well.

The unhoused population in the Eugene area has put the city first in the U.S. for homelessness, according to a new survey that used last year's federal data. 

Next month, construction will begin on Lane County’s newest housing project to address chronic homelessness. The 51-unit complex, called The Commons on MLK, will go up across the street from Autzen Stadium in Eugene. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert walked the site and has this report.

A memorial was held Friday for a 57-year old woman who died on the streets of Eugene. Her death has once again raised the question of why more isn’t being done to shelter homeless people. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert reports from First Christian Church.

In a move to symbolically reaffirm Lane County’s work toward addressing the issue, the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution, 4-1, Tuesday. The resolution declares a homelessness emergency in Lane County.

Business owners downtown are often tasked with cleaning up trash and waste left by transients. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, a new program aims to tackle that problem.

The Eugene City Council voted 6 to zero last night (Monday,) to enable property owners to enforce trespass laws on planter strips-- the areas of land between the curb and sidewalk. As KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert reports, the new provision will take effect immediately.  

The latest point in time homeless count found that in Lane County more than 2,100  people are without adequate housing. People who are unhoused face challenges to their health, safety and well-being. 

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Each week, KLCC addresses a topic surrounding mental health from a local perspective. This week, we’re talking about the mental health of children in Lane County.

Following an unexpected loss of federal funding, a Eugene-area non-profit for runaway and homeless youth is getting a local boost.

Not all homeless youth sleep on city benches or in tents. In fact, advocates say most unhoused kids in Lane County “couch surf” from place to place. And that makes them hard to identify and help.

In the final part of our series, “Hidden in Plain Sight,” KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert introduces us to a Eugene teen who became parentless and homeless before caring adults stepped in to help.

Homelessness is a pressing social issue confronting communities around the country and across Oregon. In Lane County, officials acknowledge a growing number of the homeless population are youth.

In part one of our series, “Hidden in Plain Sight,” KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert shares the story of a young man who was homeless after he was kicked out of his house as a teen-- and the advocate who helped him get off the streets.

Organizations working to end youth homelessness in Lane County face increased need and limited resources. The county is applying for a grant through the Department of Housing and Urban Development which could amount to multi-millions to address the issue.

A retired pastor is holding vigil in downtown Eugene over this holiday weekend to bring attention to the plight of people who are homeless. 

An ordinance that would have fined motorists for giving or accepting items from pedestrians on the roadside was rejected by the Eugene City Council. 

The Eugene City Council listened to over 40 community members during a public hearing on a new panhandling ordinance last night. If passed, the city could start fining motorists $50 for handing out personal property, including money, to pedestrians on the street.

Nearly $3.5 million in federal grants are coming to Lane County, to tackle homelessness. 

A group of youth took to the streets of Eugene last week to hand out care packages to people experiencing homelessness. The bags contained standard items like deodorant and toothpaste—and a mental health maintenance kit.

The City of Eugene and Lane County officials are throwing their support behind an ambitious proposal aimed at effectively ending homelessness in the region.

In Eugene, there are some innovative programs and initiatives to provide emergency shelter. That includes the Rest Stop program which offers small temporary dwellings for people who are homeless. As KLCC’s Denise Silfee discovered, while that shelter can save lives it doesn’t guarantee access to another basic human need: running water for drinking, hygiene and sanitation.

In her second State of the City address Thursday night, Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis acknowledged some of the promising steps taken in 2018 and what opportunities may lie ahead. The mayor drew down on four major priorities.

The approach of a New Year often makes us reflect on the past one. In the case of KLCC news, there were many major stories, touching on politics to disasters to the arts.  We revisit some of the sounds and voices from just some of the top local stories for 2018.

Roughly two dozen picketers gathered outside the Downtown Athletic Club at noon today, demanding Eugene businesses support a homeless shelter in the area.