Safe parking areas are better options than homeless encampments set up in the public right of way. This encampment was near the northbound NW Colorado Avenue exit along U.S. Highway 97 in Bend in July.  

Homelessness degrades our community and if we don’t do more to help homeless children, it will degrade our community for generations to come.

Deschutes County Commissioners deserve praise for taking action this year. They helped create an opportunity for people who are homeless to find a better way to live.

Building on the work in Redmond and in Bend, commissioners approved a safe parking program that allows for overnight parking for people who are homeless.

It’s regulated. There must be access to bathrooms and trash disposal. In most cases, services must be offered to the people participating to help them improve their lives.

The county allows safe parking areas within urban growth boundaries of Bend and Redmond and within 1-mile of those boundaries on the outside.

There is a bit more detail here: tinyurl.com/Dcountyparking.

Making a meaningful change in the lives of people doesn’t come cheap. And there are always people arguing that if governments and nonprofits would stop being so helpful to people going through homelessness we would have fewer homeless people. Of course, there are some people who don’t want to change their lifestyle. They are not the majority.

We urge commissioners to build on what they have accomplished in the new year.