The shortage of affordable housing is the biggest contributor of homelessness issue in Redmond. Many are not aware of this, but the brutal conditions of living on the street trigger behavioral health problems such as depression and anxiety. It also puts the homeless at higher risks for victimization, poor health and loneliness.

You may not be aware of this, but homelessness has the greatest impact in California, Vermont and Oregon and this is across the 50 states. Studies have shown that communities with the highest housing costs had some of the highest rates of homelessness. This is something that might be overlooked when looking at just the overall raw number of homeless people.

Here’s what I do know. High-cost rental markets that far outstrip the area median incomes push renters into paying 50 percent of their income toward rent. This is definitely a contributing factor for putting households at higher risk of experiencing homelessness.

Keep in mind that the longer a household experience homelessness, the more likely other key quality of life factors will be affected, such as physical and mental well being. This is a critical issue in Central Oregon and Redmond has an opportunity to get a handle on it before it is out of control. As a city we must do what we can to address this humanitarian crises and not just ignore it as if it doesn’t exist. We have to work together not just to address the issue, but instead finding a solution to resolving it.

Clifford B. Evelyn Sr.

Redmond, city councilor