BEND, Ore. — The City of Bend is in the final stages of clearing a portion of the long-standing homeless encampment known as Juniper Ridge — or “Dirt World” to its residents — as officials push forward with a strategy to consolidate services and reduce fire risk in the area.
On Thursday, city crews began issuing 72-hour eviction notices to individuals camping east of the BNSF railroad tracks, marking the final step in a phased removal process that included prior 60-day and 30-day notices. Campers are required to vacate the area by Saturday.
“We’ve been in contact with everyone,” said Matt Stuart, Real Estate Facilities Director for the City of Bend. “We’ve been out here every week and most of them are complying.”
The clearance is part of a broader relocation effort directing displaced individuals to a newly designated Temporary Safe Stay Area (TSSA), just a few hundred yards away. The 170-acre site has been developed in collaboration with Deschutes County and is equipped with basic services including drinking water, portable toilets, security patrols, and mitigated fire risks. The joint effort carries a price tag of $1.1 million.
Camp residents like Michael, who has lived in Juniper Ridge for five years, have noticed an uptick in new arrivals. “I’ve seen a lot of people move in from China Hat the last couple of weeks and from what I hear there are a lot more coming,” he said. “It has gotten crowded, but so long as everybody is getting along, I don’t see any problems.”
Deschutes County officials say the new site also allows for better regulation and cleanup efforts. “We continue to clean up abandoned camps,” said Erick Kropp, Deputy Administrator for the county. “We’ve also established guidelines for those who are living there. That’s contributed to more clean up.”
Crews have already removed numerous abandoned vehicles and tons of trash from the area, and a 200-foot-wide firebreak has been cut along Juniper Ridge’s southern and eastern boundaries to reduce wildfire threats. The city plans a final sweep and cleanup after Saturday’s closure.
Officials emphasize that consolidating the encampments into the managed TSSA will improve access to case management and other services aimed at transitioning individuals into permanent housing. The TSSA is not intended as a long-term solution. The site is scheduled for closure by December 31, 2026, as part of the city’s broader goal to eliminate unmanaged camping in the area.
In accordance with state law, campers are being instructed to separate personal belongings from debris to ensure property can be stored for up to 30 days.
As Bend continues to grapple with a growing homeless population and limited affordable housing, officials hope that the current strategy will pave the way for more sustainable, humane solutions in the years to come.
