New data on homelessness across Central Oregon paints an encouraging picture for Jefferson County — and Madras in particular. Point-in-time count data collected earlier this year by the Homeless Leadership Coalition and released by NeighborImpact this week shows that homelessness in Madras fell by more than 50 percent over the past year, one of the sharpest declines recorded anywhere in the region.
The regional homeless population fell from 2,108 individuals in 2025 to 1,706 in 2026 — a 19.1 percent decrease. Cities where homelessness declined over the past year include Bend, La Pine, Madras, Powell Butte, Prineville, Redmond, Sisters, and Terrebonne. Prineville also saw a large drop, from 367 individuals to 214.
“A Lot to Celebrate”
Scott Cooper, executive director of NeighborImpact, said the regional improvement is running counter to statewide and national trends.
“I think we have a lot to celebrate in Central Oregon,” Cooper said. “Our reduction in homelessness, which we experienced in the last year, is running countertrend to what’s happening statewide and nationally.”
Cooper credited coordination between local organizations at every stage of housing instability, from eviction prevention to outreach, rehousing, and long-term stabilization. He specifically singled out Jefferson County for its community-driven approach.
“That community in the last six to eight years has done more to rally itself together and say, ‘What can we do about this and how are we going to take care of our neighbors ourselves?’ than I’ve seen in most of rural Oregon,” Cooper said. “Jefferson County service providers have been intentional about this, have been coordinated about this and have seen results.”
Local Context
Recent changes in Madras have included the cleanup of a homeless camp near the Madras Shelter and the opening of two new transitional homes. The city has an ordinance outlining camping regulations and removal processes. NeighborImpact helped prevent homelessness for 1,320 people across the region in the last year.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. In Jefferson County, 80 individuals reported being unsheltered compared to just 23 who were sheltered — a ratio that highlights ongoing gaps even as overall numbers fall. About half of homeless individuals in Central Oregon have lived in the area for more than 10 years, and about 22 percent are experiencing chronic homelessness.
A Cautious Outlook
Cooper warned that sustaining the progress will be difficult. State Housing Stabilization and homelessness prevention funding both saw cuts, and he said local and state governments appear to be at a “standoff” over responsibility.
“When communities invest upstream — before a missed rent payment becomes an eviction, before a utility shutoff becomes displacement — people stay housed,” Cooper said in a NeighborImpact statement. “The least expensive, most effective way to address homelessness is to prevent it from happening in the first place.”
Governor Tina Kotek acknowledged the data in a statement: “This is solid progress. Together, with our partners at the local level, we are building supports to get more people on pathways out of homelessness.”
Residents seeking housing resources can contact Thrive Central Oregon, which connects people with local help for housing, food, employment, and other necessities.