Council accepts COIC grant and extends Shepherd’s House contract to fund Franklin Avenue shelter through June 2026

The Bend City Council authorized the city manager to accept a grant routed through the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) to continue operations of the Franklin Avenue shelter and approved a contract amendment with Shepherd’s House Ministries to operate the shelter through June 30, 2026.

Brooke O’Keefe, the city’s shelter coordinator, reviewed regional 2025 point-in-time (PIT) count data and shelter operations. O’Keefe said the regional PIT identified 2,108 people experiencing houselessness across the Tri-County region and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, a 17% increase from 2024; approximately 1,001 of those people were identified in Bend and surrounding areas. She said 55% of counted people were unsheltered and the Franklin Avenue shelter’s capacity has been increased from 60 to 70 beds, including sets of low-barrier spaces and family beds.

O’Keefe said the state distributed shelter funding following executive order and subsequent legislation; the current award for Franklin Avenue is $974,561.70. The city will pass $890,349 through to Shepherd’s House Ministries for shelter operations and retain a portion for facility maintenance and contract administration. Shepherd’s House operates Franklin Avenue under a contract that began when the city repurposed the former Rainbow Motel for shelter use in 2023. O’Keefe said Shepherd’s House has provided nearly 46,000 shelter nights since opening and has helped 64 individuals move to more permanent housing.

Council approved the grant acceptance and the Shepherd’s House contract amendment by motion.