REDMOND, OR -- More than a dozen people are moving in to Redmond’s newest shelter facility, on the east side of town. Oasis Village - a cluster of small bedroom shelters - officially opened Wednesday, with the help of state emergency funding. Mayor Ed Fitch says it’s just the latest step in the city’s plan, "We had actually a very good year, in addressing the homeless situation. We were able to get Oasis funded, and they're now up and running." He tells KBND News, "Right now, they’re looking at 17 people. I think it’ll grow to probably 30, sometime this year. But it was a good achievement and a lot of people were very helpful on it. "

He's optimistic more shelter options will come online, soon. "We’re working diligently on getting 21st Street, near Oasis, funded and built this year, so that we can work out the terms of a managed camp on some county property there. That’ll enable us to find a safe place for the people to get off the street in northeast Redmond, and off the county property, which they want to exchange with the Department of State Lands."

Fitch also hopes lawmakers will send more money to the region during next month’s short session, to address homelessness, "We have a number of requests in with the Legislature, as do others in Central Oregon. We think some of those will probably get funded, and will enable us to not only help with the homeless situation, but also protect the integrity of all our community, including northeast Redmond."

Click HERE to listen to our entire conversation with Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch.