After years of steady increases, the number of people experiencing homelessness across Central Oregon — including Jefferson County — fell sharply in 2026, according to new data from the Homeless Leadership Coalition.

The organization's annual Point-in-Time count, conducted over one night in late January, found approximately 1,700 individuals experiencing homelessness across Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties — a 19.1% decrease from roughly 2,100 people counted in 2025.

The count included people living on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation.

What Drove the Decline

Advocates and elected officials credited a coordinated approach between state agencies, local government, and nonprofits. Nearly 300 people who were experiencing unsheltered homelessness in 2025 were successfully rehoused by the time of the 2026 count.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who has made housing a centerpiece of her administration, praised the results.

"Homelessness is a challenge as complex as the people experiencing it, and there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. The progress we're seeing in central Oregon is a direct result of a community-wide commitment to tackling this challenge."

A Local Bright Spot in a Statewide Struggle

The Central Oregon progress stands in contrast to statewide trends. A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report found that Oregon overall saw an 18.9% increase in homelessness between 2024 and 2025, with more than 27,200 people experiencing homelessness statewide in January 2025.

In Deschutes County alone, the count dropped from roughly 1,040 in 2025 to 864 in 2026 — still high, but a meaningful improvement that local housing advocates are celebrating as a turning point.

Looking Ahead

Jefferson County's piece of that decline reflects investments in shelter capacity, outreach workers, and housing placements that have taken root over several years. Maintaining those gains — and continuing progress — will require continued funding and coordination between county government, the Warm Springs Tribe, nonprofit service providers, and the state.

The Point-in-Time count is federally mandated and is used by counties to qualify for federal housing assistance funding. It is widely acknowledged as an undercount of the true homeless population, capturing only those visible on a single night.