PENDLETON, Oregon – A standing-room-only crowd of nearly 200 residents packed the Pendleton City Council chambers on August 19, 2025, to engage in a fervent discussion about a controversial proposal to restrict future social service establishments for unhoused individuals in the downtown core. The extraordinary turnout, described by Mayor McKennon McDonald as the highest attendance at a council meeting in over a decade, underscores the deepening community tension over homelessness in this Eastern Oregon city.
Public comments, delivered by approximately 40 individuals both in-person and online, revealed a deeply divided community, with perspectives ranging from residents and first responders to city officials. At the heart of the debate is an initiative put forth by a local advocacy group, Neighbors for a Better Pendleton, which seeks to modify local ordinances to address what they describe as deteriorating conditions and safety concerns downtown.
The Push for Change: ‘Neighbors for a Better Pendleton’
The controversial proposal was formally presented by Pat Gregg, a local attorney and chair of the Pendleton School District Board, who is also a member of Neighbors for a Better Pendleton. The group, formed over six months ago by a coalition of local business owners and concerned residents, advocates for ordinance changes that would prevent new social service programs from concentrating further in the downtown area. Their stated goal is to enhance “safety and livability” in Pendleton.
According to Gregg, while the majority of unhoused individuals do not pose problems, a small faction reportedly refuses services and contributes to the decline in downtown conditions. Ryan DeGrofft, another prominent group member and regional development director for Business Oregon, articulated the group’s concerns in a June letter to the city. DeGrofft, who also co-owns a popular downtown establishment, the Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub, linked the growing unhoused population, which he referred to as “homeless addicts,” to an increase in property crimes, vandalism, public drug use, and intimidating behavior, characterizing these as daily occurrences.
Neighbors for a Better Pendleton insists their proposal is not intended to deny services or push people away. Instead, they aim to ensure that new facilities are located outside the central business district, remaining accessible but preventing a perceived over-concentration that they believe leads to loitering, public behavioral issues, and an overall sense of insecurity in downtown Pendleton.
Voices of Opposition and Broader Concerns
The proposal has met significant opposition from various quarters, including social service providers and advocates for the unhoused. Mandy Gawf, a consultant for Focus Strategies, an organization dedicated to reducing homelessness, submitted a letter to the City Council criticizing the Neighbors for a Better Pendleton proposal. Gawf specifically called out the “derogatory language” used in the proposal, particularly the labeling of unhoused individuals as “homeless addicts.” She underscored that these individuals are “first and foremost our neighbors, siblings, former classmates and friends,” emphasizing that mere zoning changes will not resolve the complex, underlying issues of homelessness.
Paula Hall, CEO of the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO), a non-profit operating a food bank and emergency shelter downtown, also voiced strong disagreement with the proposed solution. Hall warned that restricting new social service organizations in the downtown area could inadvertently impact a broader spectrum of services, including those vital for seniors and youth, not just those catering to the unhoused. CAPECO’s January point-in-time count estimated around 500 individuals experiencing homelessness across Umatilla and neighboring Morrow County, highlighting the significant need for continued support.
The Context of Homelessness in Oregon
This heated debate in Pendleton reflects a wider struggle with homelessness across Oregon. The city faces its own unique challenges, with housing costs high relative to income and an identified need for over 500 new homes to meet future demand. The current discussion builds upon previous city efforts to manage homelessness, including a 2020 ordinance that permitted overnight resting on certain city-owned properties to comply with federal court mandates, while still prohibiting sleeping on sidewalks and in parks. More recently, in May 2025, the City Council considered an amendment to an ordinance regarding bus shelters, seeking to prevent their use for sleeping or storing personal property after police reports indicated these activities deterred bus riders.
Furthermore, existing homeless support services in Pendleton have been under strain. The Pendleton Warming Station, run by Neighbor 2 Neighbor Pendleton, for example, has reported a significant decline in volunteers since the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting its capacity to provide critical shelter during colder months.
A Community Divided, A Path Forward Undecided
Mayor McKennon McDonald, who took office as Pendleton’s first female mayor in January 2025, presides over a council now tasked with navigating these deeply entrenched community divisions. The extensive public engagement at the August 19 meeting signals that the future of social services and downtown revitalization is a paramount concern for many residents.
The presentation by Neighbors for a Better Pendleton marks a significant step in their advocacy, but the path forward for the City Council remains to be determined. The debate underscores the delicate balance between addressing quality of life concerns for businesses and residents, and providing compassionate, effective solutions for a vulnerable population in need of support. As Pendleton, Oregon moves forward, the community awaits to see how its leaders will reconcile these divergent perspectives to forge a sustainable and inclusive future for all.
