Cleveland Commons Permanent Supportive Housing

The 2023 Human Right to Housing Report Card released by the National Homelessness Law Center gave the United States a failing grade. This does not come as a surprise to Central Oregonians, who have seen a 28% spike in homelessness in just one year. In response, Housing Works has partnered with NeighborImpact, Central Oregon FUSE, and Shepherd’s House Ministries to develop Cleveland Commons, a 33-unit Permanent Supportive Housing Community in Bend, Oregon.

Contrary to traditional temporary housing options provided to individuals transitioning out of homelessness, Cleveland Commons provides a safe and long-term home for residents. As the first Permanent Supportive Housing community in Central Oregon, Cleveland Commons will provide residents with medical, behavioral health, case management, and substance use disorder services co-located on-site. Research has shown that providing secure housing as a foundation and layering in supportive services results in positive outcomes for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness.

Concerned with creating a safe and habitable space for an often underserved and ignored population, the design team leveraged various trauma-informed design principles in this development. Examples include biophilic design incorporated with pops of eco-patterned wallpaper, establishing interior wayfinding using intentional color choices, and commissioning a local artist to create murals in the interior and exterior community spaces.