New data from the region's annual point-in-time homeless count paints a complex picture for Jefferson County — one where a shelter exists in Madras, yet the majority of the county's unhoused population was sleeping outside when surveyors went out to count.
The Numbers
According to the latest count data, Jefferson County recorded 80 unsheltered individuals compared to just 23 who were sheltered — meaning roughly 78% of the county's counted homeless population was sleeping outdoors, in vehicles, or in makeshift structures rather than accessing available shelter services.
Across the broader Central Oregon region, which includes Deschutes and Crook counties as well, the data shows some improvement. Homeless Leadership Coalition Chair Eliza Wilson credited expanded state funding with helping increase shelter capacity and move more people into permanent housing in some parts of the region.
But Jefferson County's numbers suggest those gains are not evenly distributed across the tri-county area.
What Drives Unsheltered Homelessness in Jefferson County
Jefferson County faces a set of challenges distinct from its neighbors. The county has a smaller population base, fewer housing units at affordable price points, limited public transportation, and a rural geography that makes accessing services difficult for people without vehicles.
The Madras Gospel Mission operates the primary shelter serving the Madras area, but capacity, eligibility requirements, and the distances people must travel from rural areas can limit who is able to access it consistently.
A Human Story Behind the Data
The Madras Pioneer this week profiled Geraldine Switzler, a local resident who experienced homelessness in Jefferson County and has since found stable employment and housing. Her story — of persistence, community support, and second chances — illustrates both the real human dimension of the crisis and the possibility of pathways out of it.
Advocates say that behind every count number is a person navigating a complicated set of circumstances: job loss, health challenges, domestic violence, addiction, or a simple lack of affordable housing in a county with very little inventory.
What Comes Next
Local and regional service providers are expected to use the point-in-time data to inform grant applications and program planning for the coming year. Jefferson County government and the nonprofit sector have been engaged in ongoing conversations about how to better connect rural residents to services — including the recently expanded Cascade East Transit routes that now connect the Warm Springs Reservation with Madras three times daily.