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<br />5 <br /> <br />What is a rest stop? <br />A rest stop is a designated area <br />within city limits where up to 20 <br />people are allowed to sleep in tents <br />or Conestoga huts. Unless for <br />security or health reasons, residents <br />vacate the site during the day and a <br />limited number of visitors are <br />permitted during designated hours. <br />Each site is approved by the Eugene <br />City Council. The City then enters <br />into an agreement with a nonprofit <br />organization to operate and manage <br />the rest stop. There are currently <br />four rest stops in Eugene that <br />provide temporary, safe, legal places <br />for people who are experiencing <br />homelessness to sleep at night. <br />How are sites selected? <br />There are many factors that are <br />considered in site selection. They <br />include the site’s suitability for <br />camping, proximity to schools and <br />residential areas, road access for <br />trash and restroom servicing, <br />environmental sensitivity, and <br />proximity to public transportation. <br />Who pays for the rest stops? <br />The costs of establishing and <br />operating each rest stop are paid for <br />and managed by a nonprofit <br />organization. The Eugene City <br />Council approved $25,000 in <br />funding for the program in Fiscal <br />Year 2017. The land is currently <br />provided by the City of Eugene and <br />the Eugene Mission. <br /> <br /> <br />Who stays at rest stops? <br />Individuals 18 or over who are <br />experiencing homelessness are <br />eligible to apply for a space at a rest <br />stop. Applicants are screened to <br />determine if they are a good fit. Rest <br />stops are intended to be a <br />temporary respite, and the <br />managing nonprofit works to <br />connect residents with support and <br />resources to help them move <br />toward more sustainable housing. <br />How are rest stops kept healthy <br />and safe? <br />Residents sign agreements with the <br />rest stop providers that they will <br />abide by the rules and program <br />expectations. On-site managers <br />provide supervision. Best practices <br />for water, handling and preparing <br />food, cooking and cleaning, heating, <br />waste management and illness <br />prevention are followed. There is <br />zero tolerance for violent behavior <br />or drug or alcohol use onsite. <br />Children must be supervised and <br />are prohibited from staying <br />overnight. Operators provide <br />portable restrooms and trash <br />collection. Residents are expected to <br />keep the site tidy, refrain from <br />disruptive behavior and be good <br />neighbors. The sites are fenced to <br />control access and promote safety. <br />Why is the City allowing rest <br />stops? <br />There is not enough affordable <br />housing for the number of people <br />experiencing homelessness in our <br />area. Rest stops are an option to <br />help alleviate this need and reduce <br />the impacts of unsanctioned <br />camping. Residents report that <br />having a secure and safe place to <br />sleep is crucial as they work to <br />access services and find long-term, <br />stable housing. <br />Eugene’s Rest Stop Program <br /> <br />Findings from the University <br />of Oregon’s Community <br />Planning Workshop Review <br />of Rest Stops <br />Neighborhood impacts: <br />Police data has shown no <br />considerable increase in <br />reported activity. <br />84% of neighboring <br />residents and businesses <br />were supportive of rest <br />stops. <br />62% of neighboring <br />residents and businesses <br />described the <br />neighborhood as “safe” or <br />“very safe”. <br />Resident statistics: <br />92% were not unhoused <br />by choice. <br />62% were <br />Eugene/Springfield <br />residents when they first <br />became unhoused. <br />86% indicated that they <br />had an increased ability to <br />provide for themselves. <br />71% felt that staying at the <br />rest stop is helping them <br />transition to permanent <br />housing. <br /> <br />Source: Providing for the Unhoused: A Review of <br />Transitional Housing Strategies in Eugene. 2015. <br />Community Planning Workshop. Community <br />Service Center, University of Oregon. <br /> <br />January 23, 2019, Work Session - Item 2