In Eugene, Oregon, the plight of homelessness is further illuminated through the story of Bobbie Stevens, a 61-year-old woman who lost her mobility scooter in the midst of a city cleanup campaign. Stevens has been navigating life on the streets of Eugene for the past 12 years, a journey that took a grim turn when she had to have her leg amputated after an infection that plagued her for seven years.
Born in California in 1965, Stevens moved to Tennessee with her family at a young age. After meeting and marrying her husband, they raised a family before life took an unforeseen turn. Her husband was incarcerated and died in prison, leaving Stevens to fend for herself in Eugene, a city that has since become her home. "I didn't know homelessness existed like this until I came to Eugene," she reflects.
Throughout her time on the streets, Stevens has had her mobility scooters stolen or lost multiple times, making it difficult for her to navigate the city without reliable transportation. "We have to walk, or find someone who is willing to give us a ride," she says. It was only recently, after finding herself at the home of friend and local activist Thomas Zoll, that she received a glimmer of hope.
Stevens has been living with Zoll for a few months, receiving treatment at a methadone clinic and striving to maintain sobriety after a lifetime of addiction struggles. She is determined to rebuild her life, inspired by the prospect of being a proud grandmother to her five-year-old granddaughter. "We just need someone to believe in us sometimes," she said.
The situation became more complicated when her mobility scooter was seized by the city during a cleanup of homeless encampments. The scooter, an expensive and essential tool for her independence, has been missing for five months now. According to city policies, belongings seized during such cleanups are taken to evidence facilities managed by the Eugene Police Department or the Lane County Sheriff's Office.
The confusion arises when property is taken by the Eugene Parks and Open Space department, which preserves and monitors over 5,000 acres of parks, trailheads, and gardens across Lane County. During fiscal year 2025, the department reported receiving 4,050 complaints through its Park Watch program, with 1,353 complaints labeled as illegal camping. However, as Stevens' case demonstrates, this label doesn't always accurately reflect the situation on the ground.
The complexities of navigating these departments and facilities were highlighted by the case of Bobbie Stevens. "We have to rely on others," she explained, as the lack of a consistent method to retrieve personal property often leaves individuals without necessary items like her mobility scooter.
While the city's efforts to maintain public spaces are commendable, the impact on individuals like Stevens raises questions about the balance between urban cleanliness and the dignity of those who find themselves on the streets. "You get used to it, if you can ever get used to that sort of thing," Stevens admitted, reflecting on her time on the streets.
The struggle to retrieve personal belongings like the mobility scooter is just one of the challenges faced by the homeless population in Eugene. It's a stark reminder that for many, life on the streets is an ongoing battle, often without clear paths to recovery or assistance.
In a city where public spaces are preserved with care, the stories of individuals like Bobbie Stevens underscore the need for compassionate solutions that consider the humanity of those most in need.
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