A. The City of Bend finds that each community member of Bend is entitled to a basic level of dignity, respect, and wellness, regardless of whether they are housed or unhoused. It is the official policy of the City that its responses to homelessness will be undertaken in accordance with these principles.

B. It is the policy of the City of Bend to utilize all existing and potential sources of funding that are made available from the Federal and State governments for the provision of services and shelter for homeless individuals.

C. The intent of the City Council is to regulate camping and survival sheltering in public right-of-way only in the context of the work that has been done by the City and will continue to occur at the City and regional level, and the City remains committed to a comprehensive houselessness policy, including through a camping resolution strategy.

D. As its regional efforts continue, the City must appropriately consider various interests and formulate policy to best protect public health, safety, welfare, property, and the environment, with limited resources.

E. The City Council acknowledges the lack of nightly shelter beds and housing currently available regionally and recognizes the systemic lack of State and Federal investment in shelter and public health services for those experiencing homelessness.

F. The City Council acknowledges that it is currently unavoidable that some people will live or shelter for survival outdoors until they are able to access affordable or free shelter or housing. In Bend, this has typically meant sheltering, sometimes for extended periods of time, on City rights-of-way and City property, and at times on other agency property (such as ODOT).

G. Public rights-of-way are generally intended for public use and travel. The City Council is the road authority for rights-of-way within the City; as such, the City must consider the safety of motorists and pedestrians travelling on roadways and sidewalks, including to and from neighboring properties, businesses, and residences. The City has had increasing concerns regarding safety due to camping on or in rights-of way in or near streets, roads, sidewalks, and public access points.

H. Over the long term and working with the Deschutes County Coordinated Homeless Response Office, the City’s goal is that people should not have to live outside and there should be safer options because long-term camping for survival sheltering outside is not a solution for people without houses.

I. The City owns extremely limited property where camping can or should be allowed, particularly since the City does not own or manage parks in the City. City utility properties (stormwater, water, sewer) are sensitive and generally closed to the public or have limited access for safety, environmental and security reasons.

J. It is the purpose and intent of the City Council to provide standards for camping and survival sheltering on City rights-of-way, which are intended to be as compatible as possible with the needs of everyone in Bend to be healthy, safe, and have access to public places. Smaller sites support the safety of people who are camping for survival on public property.

K. It is the purpose and intent of the City Council to provide standards for camping and survival sheltering on City rights-of-way which will address issues such as fire risk, unsanitary conditions, trash, and public safety hazards to people camping and neighboring businesses and community members, and environmental degradation, which have occurred with longer-term camping in the City.

L. It is the intent of the City to evaluate each removal of a campsite in light of the criteria in BC Chapter 4.20 and with considerations of public health and safety, including for the people who are sheltering in the camps, potential user conflicts, and available resources. The City will use a team approach and coordinate with the Deschutes County Coordinated Homeless Response Office as appropriate.

M. When the City of Bend removes a camp or closes a location people are sheltering in the public right-of-way, it will provide a minimum 72-hour notice to everyone that would be affected by the move, except in cases of exceptional emergency or criminal activity, as allowed by State law and set forth in this title. The City looks for the safest options for cleaning the camp, often hiring a contract company that uses best practices and safe collection and works with service providers and the regional office for trauma informed care and minimizing harm. Unless there is a public health or safety reason for emergency removal, service providers or other community resources will be notified in advance to be on hand for support and outreach ahead of time, consistent with State law. [Ord. NS-2458, 2022]