BEND, OR -- As cold weather hits Central Oregon this week efforts are underway to make sure the unhoused population can get warm and dry.

Bend’s Houselessness Services manager Amy Fraley tells KBND News city-run  shelters are already at or near capacity, “The Franklin Avenue Shelter that is 60 beds. And I believe last Friday, we had 59 people seeking shelter there.”

She says the Stepping Stone Shelter on Division is also almost full, “They bring people in through the co-ordinated entry process. But I think as of last week, they were at 92% full. So, there may be some capacity there. Safe parking is at capacity. We have 16 beds at different communities of faith and that is where people can bring their RV or in the case of one side, you can bring your car.”

Those are run by Shepherd’s House Ministries, which is accepting winter gear, blankets, sleeping bags, and monetary donations. Shepherd’s House will be opening a facility in Redmond next month.

Predictions for this weekend’s weather isn’t for extreme cold. “It takes a severe set of weather or specific conditions to have a shelter open outside of the one low barrier walk up shelter that we have here in central Oregon, which is the Lighthouse Navigation center,” Fraley says.

Bethlehem Inn is also seeking cold weather gear, along with blankets and sleeping bags.

File Photo: Bend's Stepping Stone Shelter