ABC: The strain on Bethel has become intolerable

Presenter: More than 80 people signed up to share public comment at the City Council April 14. The first to speak was 30-year Bethel resident, Active Bethel Community co-Chair Lin Woodrich (speaking for the board):

[00:00:12] Lin Woodrich: I’m quoting from an email you received from a lifelong Bethel community member. He expressed concern about Eugene’s homelessness crisis and its disproportionate impact on our neighborhood, particularly around the Lindholm Service Center.

[00:00:25] Recent data reveals alarming trends that demand immediate intervention. 3,085 individuals are currently experiencing homelessness in Eugene. 1,143 are sheltered, including alternative shelters, with 223 of this group originating from out of state. 1,942 are chronically homeless; 1,359, 70% of this group, are from out of state. 1,582 total unhoused individuals in Eugene are from out of state.

[00:00:55] 50% of those contacted have declined local housing offers, signaling systemic barriers or mismatched solutions.

[00:01:03] The city located the Lindholm Center in the Active Bethel Community. You need to either move it or take care of the businesses and residents that are being impacted by the situation it’s causing. The strain on Bethel has become intolerable.

[00:01:14] Overcrowding at the Lindholm Service Center has led to severe sanitation hazards, escalating public safety risks, including a recent fatality, and unsustainable financial burdens on local businesses and residents who are forced to address crises they did not create. This situation is neither sustainable for our neighborhood, nor compassionate toward those in need.

[00:01:35] We urge the city to act swiftly on the following:

[00:01:38] Address the influx of out-of-state individuals contributing to chronic homelessness through targeted policy changes, example, residency-based eligibility for services.

[00:01:47] Two, allocate immediate resources to mitigate sanitation and safety issues near Lindholm, including dedicated cleanup crews, 24/7 enforcement, and trauma-informed outreach teams.

[00:01:57] And three, collaborate with Bethel stakeholders to design a sustainable, equitable plan that balances community well-being with humane support for unhoused individuals.

[00:02:07] Our community deserves solutions that uphold both the dignity of those experiencing homelessness and the rights of residents and businesses bearing the brunt of this crisis.

[00:02:15] We request detailed response outlining the city’s action plan. Thank you.

[00:02:19] Presenter: Bethel’s Lin Woodrich was first among more than 80 signed up to speak Monday night.

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