Free housing fair in Bend to connect residents with affordable homeownership

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- Central Oregon residents interested in affordable homeownership can attend a free housing fair this Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Bend. The event will run at 5:30 p.m. at the Larkspur Community Center, located at 1600 SE Reed Market Road.

The fair will connect prospective home buyers with local housing developers to explain qualification requirements, outline upcoming project opportunities and detail the steps needed to purchase a home.

The event is presented through a partnership among NeighborImpact HomeSource, Thistle & Nest, RootedHomes, First Story, Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver and Sisters Habitat for Humanity.

To ensure broad community access, the event will feature simultaneous Spanish interpretation as well as an American Sign Language interpreter. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from each participating organization.

Last year's housing fairs drew 106 attendees across Central Oregon. One attendee from last year's event highlighted the value of bringing local resources together. “Being able to access the information all in one place,” the fair attendee said.

NeighborImpact HomeSource offers housing counseling, workshops and financial tools to help prospective buyers complete homebuyer education and prepare for homeownership. Its parent organization, NeighborImpact, is a private nonprofit Community Action Agency founded in 1985 that serves Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties along with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Participating housing developer Thistle & Nest uses a land trust model to provide permanent owner-occupied affordable housing opportunities. RootedHomes also focuses on permanent affordability for local workforce members and residents in Central Oregon.

First Story collaborates with builder Hayden Homes to offer move-in-ready homes to households earning 80% or below of the area median income through 30-year loans that require no down payment and no interest. Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates from Bend-Redmond, La Pine-Sunriver and Sisters also build and renovate homes in partnership with low-income families.

The fair is sponsored by Hayden Homes and Cascade Hasson Sotheby's International Realty.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Larkspur Community Center in Bend. Community members seeking further information can email homesource@neighborimpact.org or call 541-323-6567.