City of Bend seeks proposals for affordable housing, social services funding
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The City of Bend’s Economic Development Department announced requests for proposals this week for two annual funding programs that are set to provide over $1.4 million for affordable housing developments and social service organizations in Bend.
The Affordable Housing Fund program started in 2006 as a solution to develop a wide variety of housing throughout Bend. This fund collects one-third of one percent of Building Permit fees submitted to the City of Bend, and uses the proceeds to acquire land for deed restricted affordable housing, develop land, construct homes, or rehabilitate homes. This winter, the fund has $1 million to award for property owners, developers and organizations supporting affordable housing development and preservation.
The Community Development Block Grant program is a federal funding program that provides assistance for housing and community development activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are utilized or distributed by the City of Bend. This program also has approximately $400,000 to distribute to organizations operating in Bend that support community members facing economic hardship.
Requests for Proposals and further eligibility guidelines for both programs can be found at www.bendoregon.gov/affordable-housing-developers. Submissions are due on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at 5 p.m. and should be submitted to Affordable Housing Coordinator Racheal Baker at rbaker@bendoregon.gov.
Both the AHF and CDBG programs are guided by the City of Bend Consolidated Plan, a comprehensive housing and community development strategy that was prepared with extensive public involvement. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will deliberate the allocations of funding available at their public meetings from December to February. Funding recommendations will be made to City Council in February and April of 2021.
