Nine Peaks ribbon-cutting marks new affordable housing in Bend

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of Nine Peaks, a new 45-unit affordable housing apartment complex located in the medical district of Bend. Rep. Janelle Bynum and Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler attended the event.

The development is reserved for residents earning below 50% of Bend's median income, with priority given to seniors and people with disabilities. Designed to be ADA-compliant, the complex offers proximity to many of the area's medical providers.

The apartment complex is structured around stairwell towers that connect the individual units together. Each tower is decorated with art and murals created by local artists. One of the towers also features a common room and a small gym.

Lynne McConnell, executive director of Housing Works, detailed how funding subsidies help lower tenant costs for the development. “So nine peaks is considered publicly supported affordable, which means that we received a number of different subsidies or, funds to help us construct this,” McConnell said. “In exchange for that, we subsidize the rent and push that rent down as far as we can. So right now, a two bedroom in Nine Peaks will be available for just over $1,000 a month.”