Local News

Redmond Asks For $975k From Homeless Response Pkg

REDMOND, OR -- Redmond officials hope to get a piece of the funding coming from the state homeless emergency response package. Central Oregon local governments and nonprofits will share $13.9 million, expected to be doled out over the next few months. 

Mayor Ed Fitch says the city has applied for $975,000 for 20 tiny homes. "This is something we’ve worked on for some time," he tells KBND News, "It’s called the Oasis Village project. It’ll be on the east side of Redmond, near the new CORE3 development." CORE3 is the emergency coordination and training facility going in north of the airport. "We’ve asked for $975,000 to extend utilities across Highway 126 to the site. And also for $500,000 for the community building that will be there. This will result, eventually, in about 20 small houses for the homeless."

Fitch believes the location will alleviate community pressures faced by similar projects in Bend, "It’s in the UGB but outside the city. It’s basically north of the Forest Service complex north of the airport, so there’s not going to be any conflict with adjoining neighbors or neighborhoods."

According to the 2023 Point In Time homeless count, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Redmond doubled in the past year (see below). 

Redmond’s City Council this week also unanimously approved two safe parking sites. "Those will house 12 families in RVs," says Fitch. The city-owned parcels are nearly across from each other on South Highway 97, south of Pumice Avenue.

For our full conversation with Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch, visit KBND's Podcast Page

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