Bend becomes latest Oregon city to restrict homeless camping

The city of BEND is located in the state of Oregon. The City Council in the central Oregon city of Bend have approved strict new rules for homeless camping that will limit where, when and how people can live outside, as a growing number of cities across the state seek to control encampments amid a surging homelessness crisis driven by affordable housing.

The code change approved Wednesday will require people to move their campsites by 600 feet every 24 hours. There will be a complete ban on camping in residential areas.

The new measure regulates how big camps can be, how far apart they can be, and how close they can be to each other. There will only be three camps allowed.

The homeless can have what they want while living outside. The city will only allow items that are needed. Unless related to camping, sleeping, or keeping warm and dry, the storage of generators and household furniture will not be allowed.

The controversial code change elicited emotional reactions during Wednesday's meeting as cities across the state struggle to address homelessness.

In other Oregon cities, officials have found themselves in the middle of heated debates over sweeps of homeless people. The vast majority of people who testified during Wednesday's meeting told the councilors not to pass the code change.

Mo Mitchell, who voted against the code, expressed concern that the change would only make homelessness worse in the city.

Mitchell is concerned that it will lead to a lot of police involvement. Police don't know how to understand some of the complexity.

The mayor-elect said the purpose of the code was to lay some ground rules about what kind of camping would be allowed.

The community has been asking for clarity. We are moving to achieve that.

There was no code on the books about camping in the city. In order for the campsite to be removed, it had to be declared a public safety hazard and given a 72 hour eviction notice.

The code doesn't spell out how the city will enforce it. The discussions on establishing rules will last through March, according to city officials.

There are at least 1,300 unhoused adults and children in Central Oregon, and several hundred fewer shelter beds than are needed, according to the point in time count.

In Oregon, the Portland City Council banned street camping and established designated areas for homeless people. The measure is expected to go into effect in the year twenty four.