September 2021: Council Approves Three Safe Sleep Sites
At its meeting September 29, the Eugene City Council approved three additional Safe Sleep sites , bringing the total to five. The three sites could eventually host up to 150 spaces for people experiencing homelessness. Locations include 2243 Roosevelt Blvd., 410 Garfield St., and Dani Street. Once established, local social service providers will manage the sites and provide a place for people experiencing homelessness to legally locate vehicles or tents or small structures for sleeping overnight. City staff will perform additional community engagement around each of the locations, including sharing information with neighbors and stakeholders on the management plan, steps being taken to address concerns heard from the community, and contact information for the site.
August 2021: Council Approves First Safe Sleep sites
At its meeting on July 21, the Eugene City Council approved the first two Safe Sleep sites at Chase Commons Park and 2nd and Garfield. Once set up, these sites will be managed by social service providers and provide a space people experiencing homelessness to legally park their vehicles or sleep in tents. The goal of the sites is to provide safe, legal places for people experiencing homelessness to sleep and connect to services as well as reduce the impacts of unsanctioned camping across the city. In addition, the Council approved a request to expand an existing site used for medical respite at the Eugene Service Station, allowing it to serve as an additional Rest Stop location that can serve up to 12 people at any one time. Following a review of more than 300 locations, vetting dozens of potential sites, and outreach efforts to understand community concerns staff recommended and Council approved the first two Safe Sleep sites at Chase Commons Park and 2nd and Garfield.
November 2020: Winter Warming and Emergency Shelter Strategies
The City is working in collaboration with Lane County and other partners on shelter strategies for the unhoused during freezing temperatures. The 5 new rest stops and additional microsites are expected to operate for at least 12 to 18 months. Additionally, Lane County is working to identify hotels/motels and other non-congregate sheltering options across the county. City of Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County are also supporting Egan Warming Centers through our Human Services Commission partnership. Egan Warming Center sites are currently limited to 50 people (40 guests, 10 volunteers) per site due to public health guidance. As a result, additional locations are needed for the winter that ideally provide space to host 20 to 40 guests (2,000 to 4,000 square feet of open space with heat and access to restrooms), and Egan is also seeking more volunteers.
October 2020: Progress Report on Technical Assistance Collaborative Report Recommendations
September 2020: Eugene Council Approves Five New Rest Stops
In response to the growing need for safe places for homeless individuals to sleep and the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19 in the community, the Eugene City Council approved the establishment of five new rest stop sites at its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Intended to be operational before the end of this year, the new Rest Stops will provide a safe space for 75 to 100 people and be located across five different wards.
July 2020: Tracking and Reporting Homeless Numbers
Lane County, City of Eugene and non-profit partner agencies are adapting how homeless numbers are tracked and reported locally. See questions and answers about the Homeless By Names List and learn why it helps us better understand homelessness in Lane County.
June 2020: New Microsite Program
In June 2020, the City opened its first microsite. Microsites support our community’s reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic by balancing the varying needs for safety and recovery for the unhoused community. Each location provides space for up to six Conestoga Huts or tents and is managed by a nonprofit social service provider who is responsible for maintaining the site, providing supervision and oversight, and supporting the residents.