BEND, OR -- Board members for Deschutes County's Coordinated Houseless Response Office meet Thursday, without its Executive Director, who stepped down Friday. Vice Chair and Bend City Councilor Megan Perkins says they’ll discuss options to make the office more efficient, “I think the first question that we all have for each other is do we want to have an executive director or do we want a different staffing structure.” She says keeping up momentum is key, “A lot of really important work wasn’t getting done. This is something that is vitally important to our community and that as a board we’re all really committed.”
County Commissioner Patti Adair, who chairs the board, tells KBND News there needs to be a sense of urgency. “I want to see some results. You know we’ve spent millions of dollars on this already. With low barrier, high barrier, all kinds of different shelters. So, we have to get what we’re doing in gear,” said Adair who is open to discussion on hiring staff, “I’m really pretty flexible on it. I honestly just want to see results.”
The board is divided into subcommittees covering governance, leadership, and strategic planning to better meet their goals.
Perkins feels confident the office is on the right track and will be able to meet requirements to keep state funding by August 31st.
