Bend-La Pine Schools, Habitat for Humanity partner on affordable homes for district workers by Silver Rail Elementary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Qualifying employees of Bend-La Pine Schools will be eligible for affordable home ownership in a planned housing development from Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity. The project will be located on surplus school district land next to Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend

The Bend-La Pine School Board voted Tuesday night to sell the property at 61530 SE Stone Creek Lane, at just over one acre in size, to Habitat for Humanity for $20,000, in an agreement that will provide affordable home ownership with preferences for district employees for 99 years. Habitat plans to begin site work in early 2026 and anticipates home sales from spring through fall 2027.

“Challenges with housing affordability make it difficult for many of our employees to live in the community where they work, and that affects our ability to retain staff,” Superintendent Steven Cook said. “This project is a unique and exciting opportunity to work with a trusted community partner to help some of our employees afford the cost of a starter home.”

“This partnership with Bend-La Pine Schools represents a groundbreaking approach to meeting our community’s growing demand for stable homeownership opportunities,” Bend-Redmond Habitat CEO Carly Colgan said. “By recognizing the need to support their employees with affordable homeownership, BLS is leading the way in building a resilient and sustainable community. Together, we’re not only providing homes but creating pathways to long-term stability and growth for local families.”

The Stone Creek Commons development will be a mixed-income community of 18 duplex-style townhomes. The homes, featuring two to four bedrooms, attached garages and private, fenced backyards, will be built to net-zero energy standards to reduce utility costs.

With low-maintenance native landscaping planned in partnership with the High Desert Horticultural Center, Stone Creek Commons will provide sustainable, stable housing solutions that meet the diverse needs of our local workforce.

Habitat will give priority to qualified school district staff during an initial application phase, with the potential for all units to be allocated to district employees. Additionally, eight homes will include an employer-based deed restriction, ensuring future resales are reserved for eligible district employees.

The surplus property was identified in the district’s 2022 Sites and Facilities Plan as a potential location for affordable housing for district employees.

Employees who have incomes below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) will have the first purchase opportunity, followed by employees with incomes below 120 percent of the AMI. If there are remaining homes after that, Habitat will open the process to others using the established preference process.

Bend-Redmond Habitat builds strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership for families and individuals in Bend and Redmond. Since 1989, Bend-Redmond Habitat has served over 225 families with affordable homeownership and repaired 145 homes, providing more than 1100 children and adults with a safe, secure, and healthy home.