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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2018)
22 Wednesday, July 4, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon HOUSELESS: Tight rental market has an impact on residents Continued from page 3 included public lands and recreation, local government, public safety, faith communi- ties, housing support groups, houseless community mem- bers, employers, school dis- trict, homeowners living at the interface of public lands, com- munity groups, and health- care. The two groups with no spokesperson were the houseless in the community and those residents who don’t want them here. After brief context-setting by a number of the stake- holders as to how they are impacted, participants broke into six small groups to brain- storm different challenges as well as ideas that might help. Following the small groups, participants reassembled to report out, consolidate infor- mation gathered, and map possible next steps. The U.S. Forest Service was represented by Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid and USFS law enforcement offi- cer Fred Perl. Sisters is sur- rounded on three sides by National Forests which pro- vide thousands of acres in which people with no secure housing often camp. There are restrictions on camping, including a 14-day limit in any one location. Reid shared his concerns about resource destruction, safety for both the campers and the general public, and limited resources available to deal with those issues. Perl boiled down his mission as “safe forest, healthy forest,” his job being to monitor the forest and provide for safety. He reported there are usu- ally 10-12 camps in the for- est, most with one person, although he does encounter entire families with children. Perl said with no budget for cleanup, his workload has increased due to the increase in garbage over the past 15 years. He did indicate that many different groups are responsible for the garbage – locals who choose to dump no-longer-wanted items, rec- reators, kids, and the house- less. As property accumulates in a houseless camp, when it is time to move, the people can only take what they can carry so items are left behind. Perl stressed that “everyone has to be in this together,” to effectu- ate change. Family Access Network ( FA N ) a d v o c a t e D a w n Cooper pointed out summer is a time of migration into Central Oregon by house- less individuals and families because of “great weather, it’s safe, there’s fresh food and water, and they will be gone by early October,” when the weather turns colder. Cooper shared not everyone lacking permanent housing wants to be in a shelter, which is not their own space and which comes with someone else’s rules and regulations. The term “houseless” is coming into more common use, said Cooper, because there are many negative con- notations connected with “homeless,” which to many people denotes mental ill- ness issues, criminal behav- ior, unemployment, substance abuse, and public nuisance. “Houseless” is a term describ- ing an economic condition which can be the result of sudden financial changes due to medical expenses, loss of employment, loss of perma- nent housing when a rental unit is sold, or lack of afford- able housing, which is a big issue in Central Oregon. Colleen Thomas, who con- ducts outreach to the homeless Holistic Mental Health Solutions Medication Management Counseling • Functional Medicine for Deschutes County, indi- cated there is a large popula- tion of people with severe and consistent mental illness issues and she is the one per- son for all the county to reach out and build rapport with this population. She indicated with limited county resources it is difficult to get the word out as to what services are available. The other side of that is there is no mandate or law to force people to access the services that are available, unless they become a threat to themselves or others. Ashley Reed Okura, part- owner of the Ponderosa Best Western motel in Sisters shared how their business is impacted by the homeless camp in the woods behind the motel. The homeless use the laundry, get ice for their coolers from the motel’s ice machine, and some use the motel swimming pool, all of which impacts the pay- ing guests and staff. As an employer, she tries to provide stable employment, but she sees a need for more resources for the houseless. The Sisters Library is one of the few places in town for those experiencing homeless- ness to get out of the weather, whether hot, cold, or wet. It is a place of safety that offers resources such as restrooms and computers. Local librarian Zoe Schumacher says she has seen an increase over the past five years in the numbers of house- less people coming into the library. She reports an aver- age of six to eight a year who come on a daily basis, but during the summer she esti- mates 45 people a day, who she classifies as transients, come in mainly to access the computers. She does deal with lots of mental health issues and has specific expectations she enforces for the safety and comfort of all library patrons. Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben General, Cosmetic, Implant and Family Dentistry Audry Van Houweling PMHNP-BC Quick and Affordable Help ~ Your Dentist in Sisters Since 1993 ~ We are here to help you smile with confi dence! 541-549-0109 | 304 W. Adams Ave. | Sisters 541-595-8337 • www.shesoarspsych.com 102 E. Main Ave., Downtown Sisters Kiwanis Club of Sisters Presents the Third Annual TOPAZ LODGE – NEAR RENO JULY 24-27 | $149 PPDO $30 free slot play, $15 food coupons. Day visit to Genoa, complimentary lunch and drink of choice at the state’s oldest “Thirst Parlor!” COWBOY DINNER TREE AUGUST 11 | $99 PPDO Enjoy your choice of a 28-32 oz. steak or whole chicken! Includes visit to Fort Rock Museum & Homestead! Great to include out-of-town guests for this favorite in Silver Lake, Oregon! WINNEMUCCA/RENO TOUR! SEPTEMBER 4-7 | $229 PPDO 4 days/3 nights. 1 night in Winnemucca at remodeled Winners Hotel/Casino, and 2 nights at the Circus/Circus Hotel/ Casino in downtown Reno! 3 casinos under one roof, the Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus! Over $70 in free slot play, food credits, and cash rebates! OCTOBER 19-21|$89 PPDO OR TRY OUR NEW 5K RACE THE BASE BRANSON AT CHRISTMAS Half Marathon or 5k Run/Walk Saturday, July 28 at 8 a.m. WINNEMUCCA, NEVADA Passengers receive deluxe transportion. Two nights, $30 in free slot play, and $15 in food coupons. Don’t miss out! NOVEMBER 6-13 | $2,299 PPDO Air fare, taxes and transfers, 8 days/7 nights, Shoji Tabuchi, The Oakridge Boys, Neal McCoy, Daniel O’Donnell, Buck Trent and guest appearance by Tony Orlando and more! LEAVENWORTH DECEMBER 12-14 | $529 PPDO Stay in this magical Bavarian Village! Lights, sights and sounds of Christmas! Sleigh ride, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, tour of Aplets and Cotlets Factory included. Connie Boyle 541-508-1500 Box 615 Sisters, OR 97759 (5K at 10:30 am) Registration: Sign up online at tinyurl.com/HoodooChallenge2018 For more information contact Matt Kirchoff at 541-647-7586.
