FAQs

Yes.  Through Ordinance No. 3007, the City has identified all sidewalks and adjacent landscape planters within city limits are prohibited for the use of sleeping/protection from the elements, including setting up a tent or other temporary structures.   For more information on the City’s regulations for where people can sleep/protect oneself from the elements, please visit the City’s Response section of this webpage.

No.  City parks are closed to all members of the public between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am.

City parks are open to all members of the public during park hours (7:00am – 10:00pm) and may be used for rest/protection from the elements (e.g., use of tents or similar temporary structures).  While parks are not open to the public, and between the hours of 6:00pm – 7:00am, the City has identified areas on public land which are prohibited for use to sleep/protect from elements, leaving a number of areas throughout the city on public property that may be used for overnight sleeping areas, including: (1) landscape area in front of the police department, (2) area between the sidewalk and perimeter fence by the City maintenance shop on Oak Street, east of S 5^th Street, (3) a portion of the city owned property on Tennessee Road, across from the wastewater treatment plant.

You can take a proactive stance on keeping trespassers off your property by posting signs and maintaining your property perimeter. If an illegal encampment appears on your property, you have the right to ask the individuals to leave or contact the Lebanon Police non-emergency number for assistance, (541) 451.1751.

The City has not currently addressed modifying or adding regulations for this issue but will continue working on identifying regulations that are fair, appropriate, and enforceable within the legal framework.  Our Community Service Officers work on a daily basis to address this issue and communicate available resources to help individuals move from vehicles into other housing options.

It is prohibited to build, light, or maintain any fire on any public property, except in designated and reserved camping spots at Gills Landing.

No.  These are violations that may result in the issuance of a citation to appear before the municipal court judge. 

Property owners are liable for injuries to people on the sidewalks abutting their property if they have not maintained the sidewalk in good condition.  If an illegal encampment appears on your property, you have the right to ask the individuals to leave or contact the Lebanon Police non-emergency number for assistance, (541) 451.1751.

The City has no funding to hire additional staff or contract with a service organization or security guard to staff and manage the overnight site. Although the State is providing some funding this legislative session, the monies are restricted to be spent on infrastructure (housing, shelter beds, etc.) and not on services such as staff for an overnight location. The City is continuing its efforts to identify alternatives to meet State legal requirements while providing a better solution for all.

The City already integrates social services in its response to homeless individuals.  Lebanon has two community service officers that work tirelessly to provide resources and generally do anything possible to help transition individuals from homelessness to having a home.  The preference would be to have wrap-around services available – mental and physical health, addiction management, case management – but these services are expensive, and it is the City’s understanding that service providers are not currently able to secure the resources to expand.

Any City, County, State, or Federal property that is open to the public, and not restricted by the City’s ordinance would be available for overnight sleeping accommodations.  For a comprehensive overview of where individuals can sleep/protect themselves from the elements on public property, please visit the City’s Response section of this webpage.

Police will patrol the area as time and resources allow and also monitor from any available camera access from the dispatch center.

The City Council has identified a need to review parking regulations as they relate to recreational vehicles and the amount of time they can remain on the street. City staff will begin working on this issue later this summer. During the current State legislative session several bills have been taken up that deal with abandoned RVs. If one or more of the bills pass, we may be able to look for ways to better manage this issue.

There are several medical providers and community service organizations that provide homeless outreach services and drug addiction and mental health services for people who wish to seek this help.  Although not a comprehensive list, the following organizations are currently active in the community:  Crossroads Communities works with individuals to connect with services and help achieve permanent housing and mental health and drug addiction support. C.H.A.N.C.E operates in Lebanon and provide addiction and recovery services. The River Center and the Family Assistance Center provides outreach services including harm-reduction services, clothes, sleeping bags, tents, food, etc. Teen Challenge provide addition treatment services. Lebanon is limited on mental health services, particularly in-patient services with only six beds available in all of Linn County. 

The City does not currently have a homeless shelter within city limits.  Community Service organizations and religious institutions intermittently provide some shelter options, but are limited in size, duration, and availability.  With no established permanent emergency shelter in city limits, the City is required to provide an opportunity for individuals experiencing homelessness to sleep and protect themselves from the elements.

Generally, a low-barrier shelter is staffed and has basic rules. Most will have a specific time at which people who will use the shelter must be inside and allow people who are substance altered to enter, but don’t let them bring drugs or alcohol into the facility.

Community Resource Officers have been communicating with individuals regarding their preference for solutions.  There has been a mixed response.  There are individuals who have asked for housing resources and financial assistance, drug addiction treatment and mental health support, and assistance in acquiring identification. There are also individuals who have stated they do not want any services. All individuals who ask for assistance are provided with information on available resources, offered temporary housing options (e.g., hotel stays) when available and appropriate, and assisted with direct connections to resources and services.

As part of the Ninth Circuit Court ruling regarding this issue, the decision indicated that religious institution services may only count as available to the public if the religious institution does not require individuals to participate in prayer or other religious activities.  The City supports our local community partners and religious institutions to provide services to the homeless population and would be open to partnerships to support services.  Until such time as sites are available that meet the court and state requirements, city sites will still be required.

The purpose of the site is to provide an option for individuals to use for overnight sleeping, as well as meeting the requirements of state law and recent court decisions.  There is no requirement for individuals to utilize the site.  However, the site would be maintained until such time as a permanent shelter is provided in the City, or state law changes to no longer require the resource.