Roseburg Proclaims November Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Highlights Hundreds of Local Students Facing Housing Instability

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Hundreds of students across Douglas County experienced homelessness during the last school year, a challenge local officials and community organizations are working to bring greater attention to this November.

During the Roseburg City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, Mayor Larry Rich officially proclaimed November 2026 as Homeless Youth Awareness Month, recognizing the struggles faced by children and young people without stable housing and the organizations working to support them.

The proclamation was presented to Thomas McGregor, co-chair of the Douglas County Homeless Youth Solutions Initiative, which has been working to better understand youth homelessness in the county and identify ways to address it.

According to figures shared by the City of Roseburg, an estimated 560 students in kindergarten through 12th grade experienced homelessness in Douglas County during the 2024-2025 school year. That represents approximately 4.3% of the county's K-12 student population.

For many of these students, homelessness does not necessarily mean living on the street. Housing instability can include staying temporarily with other families, living in motels or shelters, or moving between locations without a permanent place to call home.

Those circumstances can make everyday activities, including attending school, completing homework and maintaining friendships, significantly more difficult.

Students experiencing homelessness may also face disruptions in their education, difficulty accessing basic necessities and emotional challenges associated with not knowing where they will be staying. Young people who experience homelessness without a parent or guardian face additional risks, including abuse, trafficking and exploitation.

The city said Homeless Youth Awareness Month is intended to encourage a better understanding of the circumstances that contribute to youth homelessness while drawing attention to prevention, available resources and community involvement.

Public Forum Scheduled for November 16

As part of the month's awareness efforts, community members will have an opportunity to learn more about youth homelessness in Douglas County during a public forum scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. at the Roseburg Public Library.

The forum will focus on findings from the Douglas County Homeless Youth Solutions Initiative's Roadmap, which examines the issue locally and identifies potential approaches to improving support for young people experiencing housing instability.

McGregor, who has served as a co-chair of the initiative since 2021 and is associated with Peace at Home Advocacy Center, will be among those helping bring attention to the issue.

The event will include a panel of speakers and opportunities for community discussion, giving residents a chance to hear about the challenges facing local youth and the efforts underway to address them.

The forum is being organized with involvement from Creating Community Resilience and the League of Women Voters of the Umpqua Valley.

Bringing Attention to a Local Challenge

While homelessness is often discussed in connection with adults living outdoors or in temporary shelters, the number of affected schoolchildren highlights another part of the issue that may be less visible to the public.

For students and families experiencing housing instability, maintaining a consistent school routine and access to basic necessities can be an ongoing challenge.

The city's proclamation also recognizes the work being done by local schools, service providers and community organizations that help children and families navigate those circumstances.

By designating November as Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Roseburg officials hope to encourage greater public understanding of the issue and continued support for efforts aimed at preventing and ending youth homelessness.

Residents interested in learning more about the Douglas County Homeless Youth Solutions Initiative and its findings are encouraged to attend the Nov. 16 forum at the Roseburg Public Library.