Central Oregon’s housing crisis continues to impact the worker shortage. For years, companies have reported difficulty in recruiting new employees to the area because of a lack of workforce housing. Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel says it’s now impacting public safety. He recently extended an offer for Deputy D-A to an out-of-area candidate. "She tentatively accepted and she started looking for housing, and she started looking for daycares – she’s a single mom. And, after a few weeks of looking, and working connections, and talking to realtors and talking to people in my office who were giving her tips, she reluctantly withdrew her acceptance. She said she could not afford to live here because of the housing costs." He says the high cost of daycare was also a big factor in the candidate’s decision. Hummel has two openings for Deputy D-A. In his 8 years in office, he says he’s never had this much trouble filling those vacancies.