BEND, OR -- The plan for a managed homeless camp on Juniper Ridge is being shaped by Deschutes County's Coordinated Houseless Response Office.

The county's Coordinated Houseless Response Office is now taking applications from services providers. Home More Network's Chuck Hemingway told the CHRO board at Thursday's meeting they have their work cut out for them creating a Temporary Safe Stay Area, between Highway 97 and the railroad tracks. The area east of the tracks will be closed for camping. "Given the way they've permanently put up some of those structures up there (on the east side). It's going to be a real chore." Home More Network is proposing a managed camp within the TSSA that would provide intensive case management, to transition to permanent housing. It would also include mobile showers and laundry. "We would like to see some innovative methods used," said Hemingway, adding safety and security for everyone is a priority, "This area would be a fire mitigation area. There would be controlling what kind of fires they have." The goal is to get people to a more stable situation on Juniper Ridge. "There are definitely people that are living out there that want to be safer. And this definitely offers a high degree of safety," said CHRO board chair, and Deschutes County commission chair Patti Adair. The board comprises Commissioner Adair and city officials from Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Sisters.

The TSSA hopes to open next May. The houseless response office will allocate funding for that project, along with Safe Parking spaces in Bend and Redmond.

The board also Thursday, affirmed its regional commitment saying it was "merging, augmenting, aligning" with regional partners including Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, and stretching beyond Deschutes County.