The vast majority of those who are homeless and residing in Eugene do not "come here."  They are from Eugene, or Lane County, or an adjacent county.  Eugene happens to be the location of many social services that County residents rely upon, including people from this area who are homeless.  

We do not have a "lenient attitude" toward homelessness in Eugene.  We are one of few cities in the U.S. of this size that does not have a public homeless shelter.  Over 50 percent of the estimated 3000 people who are homeless in Eugene have no safe or legal place to be.  Camping is prohibited in Eugene, and it is defined in the City of Eugene Criminal Code in terms that make even sleeping on a blanket in the park to be a citable offense.  Sleeping in a car or RV on Eugene streets is prohibited except in a few places sanctioned by the City and overseen by St. Vinnie's.