Homelessness across Central Oregon — including Jefferson County and the Warm Springs Reservation — dropped by nearly 20 percent in 2026, reversing years of steady increases and bucking a statewide trend that saw homelessness rise sharply across Oregon last year.
The data comes from the Homeless Leadership Coalition's annual point-in-time count, a federally mandated single-night survey conducted in late January. Across Jefferson, Deschutes, and Crook counties, approximately 1,700 people were found to be experiencing homelessness in 2026 — down from about 2,100 in 2025, a 19.1% decline.
What Drove the Drop
Housing advocates, elected officials, and Governor Tina Kotek credited the decline to coordinated investments in shelter beds, rehousing services, and behavioral health capacity, largely funded through the governor's homelessness emergency orders — first signed on her first day in office in January 2023 and extended twice since.
"Homelessness is a challenge as complex as the people experiencing it, and there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution," Kotek said. "The progress we're seeing in central Oregon is a direct result of a community-wide commitment to tackling this challenge."
According to the governor's office, the statewide emergency actions have resulted in nearly 6,300 new shelter beds, 5,500 people rehoused from unsheltered homelessness, and homelessness prevention assistance for approximately 26,000 households.
Warm Springs Sees Improvement
For the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, state investments over the past three years have helped expand tribal members' access to hygiene amenities, tiny huts, and an indoor dining facility.
Caroline Cruz, chief operations officer for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, said the Tribes rely on what she calls "braided funding" — drawing from state, local, and federal sources — along with a public transportation partnership through the Cascadia Transit Program.
Who Is Experiencing Homelessness
The survey found that most people experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon are longtime local residents — not people who moved from elsewhere to access services. Half of those surveyed said they've lived in Central Oregon for over 10 years, and more than 75% have lived in the region for at least three years.
Single adults made up 84% of those experiencing homelessness, followed by families (7%), youth ages 18-24 (5%), and young parents (4%). Most cited economic struggles as the primary reason for their housing instability.
The Bigger Picture
Despite Central Oregon's progress, the region's housing affordability crisis has not been solved. In Deschutes County, the median home price is approximately $675,000 — nearly $150,000 above the Oregon median. While Jefferson County's housing market is more affordable, rising costs throughout the region continue to put pressure on low-income households.
The 19% drop is real progress, advocates say — but the work is far from finished.