homelessness

A new tracking system has been adapted to demonstrate the scope and need of homeless populations in Eugene and throughout Lane County.

Many advocates in Lane County are worried about the chronically unhoused and what will happen to them after today’s (Friday) closure of two COVID-Relief respite shelters. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert reached out to White Bird Clinic—an organization with 50 years’ experience of helping people on the streets. Executive Coordinator Chris Hecht talks about his concerns and what kinds of solutions they advocate for.

Washing your hands with soap and water has long been touted by health officials to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and other diseases. For Lane County’s 2,000 plus unhoused population, that could be a problem. The county says they’re working on a solution.

The city of Cottage Grove is one wall closer to completing "Legion Cottages," after a wall raising ceremony on Monday. The plan is to build four tiny houses to increase affordable housing options for homeless veterans in rural areas.

Despite a disruptive protest last weekend, the owner of Eugene’s Elk Horn Brewery says business is rebounding.  As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, their work continues on reducing “lawlessness” across the downtown.

Across the nation last week, counties participated in an annual tally of people who are unhoused. KLCC’s Elizabeth Gabriel tagged along with a pair of volunteers in Eugene to see what it’s like to be a point-in-time counter.

With homelessness reaching what one official calls “epidemic proportions,” the City of Eugene and Lane County have jointly come up with additional funding to keep two services operational. 

Each of Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis’s State of the City addresses has discussed housing and homelessness. Vinis highlighted those topics again Wednesday night, noting that several plans developed in 2019 will take shape in 2020. 

Continued “lawlessness” by some transients in Eugene has hurt downtown businesses over the holiday season.

As 2019 winds down, it’s time to reflect on some of the big news stories we covered across Eugene-Springfield and the region. KLCC’s Brian Bull has this year-end review.

Homeless advocates are cheering the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear an appeal in a pivotal case out of Idaho.  KLCC’s Brian Bull got reaction from someone living on the streets of Eugene.

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.