The shortage of housing across the country is a key contributor to homelessness. But it does not explain how Eugene has become a nationally recognized leader for homelessness.
Back in 2019 former mayor Lucy Vinis announced that, through a partnership with Lane County, “We’re creating a strategic plan to strengthen our capacity to help people stabilize their lives.”
After years of coordinated efforts between the city, county and many nonprofits, homelessness in Eugene has grown faster on a per capita basis than almost any other city nationwide. Today, Eugene is known for its homeless programs and is a destination for chronically unhoused people…