BEND, OR -- Deschutes County and Bethlehem Inn are partnering to provide more beds and services for those experiencing homelessness and mental illness or substance abuse disorders.

Colleen Thomas with the county’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) tells KBND News six beds will be made available at Bethlehem Inn’s shelters; three in Bend and three in Redmond.  “By having those beds set aside we have the ability to kind of wrap around intensive case management and peer support services for folks that need it. And it gives them an opportunity to have a safe place while they access different treatment opportunities and services through the county.”  Thomas said details are being finalized and the program should begin in a month or two, “We have folks that we are working with that would be ideal candidates for this program and so we’re just looking forward to getting it started.”

Deschutes County Health Services will reimburse Bethlehem Inn $70 a night, per bed.  Funding comes from a Measure 110 Behavioral Health Grant. 

There is a possibility the program could expand, “We from Deschutes County as well as Bethlehem Inn are open to conversation and how that might look as we get going. We might see that we have a greater need, and I think that that will just open conversation for how we can support more folks in the community,” said Thomas.