Eugene officials to consider changes to homeless program

Published 12:49 pm Tuesday, November 17, 2015

EUGENE, Ore. — Eugene officials are considering whether to approve extended hours for a temporary pilot program that would allow homeless people to sleep overnight at approved sites.

The Register-Guard reported that the proposed ordinance would make an exception to the city’s ban on overnight sleeping on public property. Under the current plan proposed by city officials, individuals would be allowed to sleep overnight at the sites from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

At a public hearing Monday, several speakers urged the City Council to expand the hours. They argued that the city’s current plan would force homeless people to set up in the dark and be out in the cold during winter months.

The council agreed to discuss changing the hours at next week’s work session.