<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Real Stories]]></title><description><![CDATA[Real Stories]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:49:08 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Homelessness in Central Oregon: From secure home to homelessness, a common pattern]]></title><description><![CDATA[As our project winds down, we share our findings about what drives homelessness, the people living it, and the solutions within reach]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/homelessness-in-central-oregon-from-secure-home-to-homelessness-a-common-pattern</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d42c3a84368b4841064e5d</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:13:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_df75946bd99248519205d58770c34198~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[‘I lost it all’: Residents of Oregon homeless camp say Forest Service blew off calls, appointments to reclaim lost property]]></title><description><![CDATA[Former residents of one of Oregon’s largest homeless encampments say they lost cars, work tools, irreplaceable family photos and other items.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/i-lost-it-all-residents-of-oregon-homeless-camp-say-forest-service-blew-off-calls-appointments</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cc04107d31fe550c6459e0</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:00:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_60c9f8889fd844fd87d6548697f9f7a4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[She helped the homeless, who will help her?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Damari Perreard spent decades fighting to keep vulnerable people safe and off the streets. Now, after battling a mystery illness and a debilitating fall, she's on the verge of joining them.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/she-helped-the-homeless-who-will-help-her</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a8c0671fb1895eb271bf39</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:00:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_1a33ec3d909c406aa10e634586bfa4e8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Faith and poverty: A pastor's precarious life]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pastor Dean "Dino" Antonucci lives in an RV in a church parking lot due to crushing medical debt and Central Oregon's soaring cost of living. His story reveals how even faith leaders face housing insecurity in America's affordability crisis]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/faith-and-poverty-a-pastor-s-precarious-life</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6997460bd90893e69ff840f0</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:03:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_9026cbfd810843f980058a608b5e9335~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Redmond affordable housing developments stifled by budget cuts]]></title><description><![CDATA[Local leaders say the projects were passed over during the last round of applications for state funding from Oregon Housing and Community Services, despite Central Oregon's ongoing growth and need ]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/redmond-affordable-housing-developments-stifled-by-budget-cuts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698629a72afb5c3741beb6a5</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:00:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_c053beb6d7e4456c98bdd30be25a8904~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['We thought we were safe': The story of a Bend family's fall into homelessness]]></title><description><![CDATA[Before the pandemic, Phil and Megan Gordon were happy to be in Bend. They had jobs, they launched a business, and they were close to their kids. But amid the pandemic housing crunch and the cost-of-living crisis, they were forced out of a house and into a hotel. Then, when they moved into an RV, they found that even asking for help has a price.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/we-thought-we-were-safe-the-story-of-a-bend-family-s-fall-into-homelessness-bend-housing-crisis</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69716955cf778e0a7c39e745</guid><pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:01:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_6c5290fee3dc43d79ff7026983b3f83c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bend church mailroom offers 'lifeline' to homeless]]></title><description><![CDATA[Bend United Methodist Church's volunteer-run mail program offers a crucial service for those who lack a fixed address]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/bend-church-mailroom-offers-lifeline-to-homeless</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696033d8f3c0663c7a932023</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:00:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_c38cfc9dae254f81b5901259b658cffc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['The list keeps growing': Longest Night vigils honor those who died homeless]]></title><description><![CDATA[Local organizers will lead candlelight vigils to raise awareness during the 34th annual Homeless Persons' Memorial Day]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/the-list-keeps-growing-longest-night-vigils-honor-those-who-died-homeless</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69322db4a7a4d87bcf144a7b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:00:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_f8602ca134684f37817842c3efec54aa~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Economic uncertainty drives need for services, support during holidays, every day]]></title><description><![CDATA[Service organizations dedicated to helping vulnerable Central Oregonians are facing mounting economic challenges as federal, state and local funding dries up. At the same time, the cost-of-living crisis continues to spiral, driving the demand for services. ]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/economic-uncertainty-drives-need-for-services-support-during-holidays-every-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691f64524380ae0a508adf8f</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:00:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_9eb1957d467f4cf589325994b55f33dc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['We did what we had to do': grandmother given temporary home after 5 years in the woods]]></title><description><![CDATA[Trish Gaut is one of more than 7 million grandparents in the U.S. who have become full-time caregivers amid spiraling cost of living, mental health crises. An informal guardianship agreement prevented her from getting the assistance she needed to get out of the woods. Social stigma almost kept her there.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/we-did-what-we-had-to-do-grandmother-given-temporary-home-after-5-years-in-the-woods</link><guid isPermaLink="false">690ce2d4c7704ee6cd1b22e6</guid><pubDate>Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_42bf68ebfeef4abfa6b46df28600ca33~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['It's never too late:' Warm Springs woman finds home, second chance]]></title><description><![CDATA[Lucy Wolfe, a member of the Warm Springs Tribe, learned to make dream catchers and traditional Native American jewelry when she was 15. After nearly two decades of living on the streets and in shelters, Wolfe finally found a home. And with it came the space to practice her art and deepen her connection to family and tradition.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/it-s-never-too-late-warm-springs-woman-finds-home-second-chance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fba4c090e0162c3bee9b09</guid><pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:15:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_6d171e372d8e49b19022754425b14a28~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[New tiny home village in Bend welcomes first resident amid celebration and complaints]]></title><description><![CDATA[Tiny home villages are increasingly considered a solution to the affordable housing crisis, offering temporary stability to unhoused people as they get back on track. But concerned neighbors continue to fight these developments every step of the way. One local developer was undeterred.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/new-tiny-home-village-in-bend-welcomes-first-resident-amid-celebration-and-complaints</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e7e7054bab99a0463a238e</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:02:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_b992a7fc20054ecbacf766a45291f385~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bend couple wrestle with homelessness, addiction amid treatment shortage]]></title><description><![CDATA[Christine Greene says she and her partner, Levi, are unhoused and caught in a cycle of despair. Studies show that Oregon is among the nation's worst where access to treatment is concerned, which exacerbates the challenges that come with homelessness.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/bend-couple-wrestle-with-homelessness-addiction-amid-treatment-shortage</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68cc7eb5b8eb079bcb061bb9</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:00:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_7ac5aaf82f1f4126bee135b388092699~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Homeless U.S. Marine Corps veteran serves up burgers, community at Lighthouse]]></title><description><![CDATA[After serving 18 years in the Marines, Todd Walters found himself homeless at age 60. Though the Iraqi War veteran faces significant challenges in finding his next home, he refuses to sit idly when there's food and friends to be made.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/homeless-u-s-marine-corps-veteran-serves-up-burgers-community-at-lighthouse</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68bb28cfa18887303bf5d4f4</guid><pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:00:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_acce1e9f675442fd9ea238f05210e3ab~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Displaced China Hat campers reeling as their belongings become U.S. property]]></title><description><![CDATA[While the U.S. Forest Service touts efforts to clear out encampments as 'success,' a growing number of campers say their phone calls and emails have been ignored. ]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/displaced-china-hat-campers-reeling-as-their-belongings-become-u-s-property</link><guid isPermaLink="false">689e66bfda524e52863d3537</guid><pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:30:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_00df43ea22d1432897f86e12878f82e6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['It can wreck you': Bend man holding on as homeless pushed farther out]]></title><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mercer was on his way to earning a degree in electronics engineering before a motorcycle accident changed his life forever. Now, he and his family are camping in a remote area east of Bend. As he struggles to maintain his health, and area officials continue to sweep encampments, he wonders how he'll survive. ]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/it-can-wreck-you-bend-man-holding-on-as-homeless-pushed-farther-out</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68938af4e597530529f17e8d</guid><pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:10:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_1e72929f624b4c4eab98304edf7dcb75~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['I'm just trying to do good': Bend man spends his days trying to help others]]></title><description><![CDATA[J.R. Montgomery strives to help those struggling with homelessness and substance use disorder. Studies show that peer support improves outcomes for those being helped, as well as those who help. ]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/i-m-just-trying-to-do-good-bend-man-spends-his-days-trying-to-help-others</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68781fa9b859d5b21b06ce1f</guid><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_384a2d00928a439c97dc93635d19c018~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lawmakers slash $100 million from budget for eviction prevention, legal aid]]></title><description><![CDATA[As Central Oregon sees spikes in homelessness, record numbers of cost-burdened renters and increased eviction filings, lawmakers slash $100 million from budget for eviction prevention and legal aid. ]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/lawmakers-slash-100-million-from-budget-for-eviction-prevention-legal-aid</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68656ac73521e3532612501b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:00:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_991b35ff1bcd4401aeb0863e05f74597~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Decorated Marine Corps veteran, homeless for more than a decade, braces for change]]></title><description><![CDATA[Andrew Couture has lived in the juniper forest east of Redmond for more than a decade. With another sweep looming, the disabled veteran who lives on a fixed income wonders where he and his friends will go.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/decorated-marine-corps-veteran-homeless-for-more-than-a-decade-braces-for-change</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6852f8ed0daa1dfa62ffd2d2</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:00:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_5c15724b621d425896646a7611a8c5c5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cleveland Commons offers home, hope to Bend man]]></title><description><![CDATA[Trevor Duncan thought his life was over after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. Then, he learned that he had suffered a stroke. The effects could be reversed, but he'd need support to have a fighting chance.]]></description><link>https://www.realstoriesrealsolutions.org/post/cleveland-commons-offers-home-hope-to-bend-man</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68408f9e91910dbe9d010a10</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:21:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b1b1fe_2a1319b3c47144df995c3649f9e098e1~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>