Oregon Public Broadcasting

Monday, daytime temperatures hung in the single digits in Bend.

The winter cold is something many in Bend have been worrying about – what with the record levels of homelessness in the region.

Over the weekend, as the mercury dropped, the city of Bend declared a state of emergency.

The city manager can declare an emergency any time the temperature drops below 25 degrees, and local shelters are full.

That allows churches and other buildings to house people overnight and keep them out of the cold. Gary Marshall is the fire marshal for the City of Bend.

Gary Marshall: “We have to remember that spending the night is a lot different than a day shelter. A day shelter you are just looking for a place to come in and stay warm. These people have the same right of safety as any of us that can afford to stay in a motel.”

The First United Methodist Church and the Boys and Girls Club both have received approval from the fire department to house the homeless on a temporary basis.