Sisters works on houselessness

As the days get shorter and the approach of winter is not far away, thoughts of our unhoused neighbors rise higher in our consciousness. For many Sisters agencies and organizations, the welfare of those neighbors is a year-round priority.

To provide information to the public on the work being done on behalf of those Sisters residents lacking secure permanent housing, and to provide an opportunity to hear ideas, concerns, and questions from community members, the City has gathered together their partner agencies to convene a community conversation on Sunday, October 6, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at the new Sisters Elementary School at 2155 West McKinney Butte Road.

This will be a learning and input-gathering session, not a problem-solving session. This is the first step in exploring the very large issue of houselessness in the Sisters community.

The reasons people lack secure housing are as varied as the people themselves. What they need and want in the way of assistance ranges from being left alone, to help finding employment, or the need for specific social services or healthcare.

Residents living in the forest include single individuals (men and women), couples, and families with children, all whose needs may have some similarities like potable water, showers, bathrooms, and transportation — all necessary to have a job.

According to Colleen Thomas of Deschutes County Behavioral Health, the houseless situation is different in Sisters than in the surrounding towns of Bend and Redmond. The Deschutes National Forest that surrounds Sisters on three sides provides ample space for those lacking permanent housing to pitch a tent or park a car or motorhome. In downtown Sisters there is little to no evidence of neighbors struggling to make ends meet. Many of them are employed in Sisters but can’t afford local rents. A survey has been conducted of forest residents, and results will be available on October 6.

The event on October 6 will provide the opportunity to hear from each of 12 partner agencies and organizations about what they are currently doing to provide help. The attendees will be seated in groups of 10-12 and asked to discuss three questions: What concerns do you have? What ideas do you have? What questions do you have?

A notetaker at each table will record the responses to be shared with the meeting facilitator. She will synthesize and share community input thematically with all the partners to help inform next steps.

Participants will be invited to share additional ideas, concerns, questions, or comments via comment cards with QR codes provided at each table and/or flip charts set up around the room. There will also be an opportunity at the end of the conversation to talk with the partner representatives.

The participating partners are City of Sisters, Sisters Park and Recreation District, Deschutes County Behavioral Health, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, Sisters Cold Weather Shelter, U.S. Forest Service, Sisters Community Initiative, Family Access Network, Sisters School District, Sisters Community Church, and Sisters branch of Deschutes Public Library.

For more information go to http://www.ci.sisters.or.us and click “What’s Happening, Community Conversation About Houselessness.”