Filling in Central Oregon: Can we ease the squeeze?

In the last year, Oregon gained its 4 millionth resident. And with Deschutes County being once again the fastest-growing county in the state, we are all starting to feel the growing pains.

The growth is impacting both the rental and housing markets. Building officials say we should embrace growth and the change it brings, while families say it’s almost impossible.

“As painful as it is, I prefer growth over complete shutdown,” said Andy High, vice president of government affairs for the Central Oregon Builders Association.

Growing pains are hitting Central Oregon hard, for both buyers and renters.

“Value is going to go up,” High said.

“If anything is reasonable, it’s gone,” said Central Oregon resident Ashley Oaks.

The beautiful place we live in has an ugly mess to deal with.

“I think I spend more time crying about our life than the happiness of my child which is sad to say,” Oaks said.

Oaks has rented her house south of La Pine since March. It’s the only home her 7-month-old daughter has ever known.

That home is now for sale.

“We’ve known that the landlord is going to sell, and he wants us out by March,” Oaks said.

During her eight years in Central Oregon, Oaks’ living situation has been anything but stable.

“At this rate, in March, we will either be in a hotel or we will be homeless,” Oaks said.

And she’s not alone. Bend and most of the rest of the area is growing very quickly.

“It hasn’t become any easier to live here. How can they say it’s family-friendly if you can’t afford to live here, unless you are a rich person?” Oaks said.

According to COBA, 3,000 people moved to Bend in 2010 — but only 147 new housing units were built.

Even in recession, though, we never saw a negative population growth as a region.

“Part of what is forcing it is state law is forcing us to densify,” High said.

According to COBA, by 2028, 60 percent of our land supply that we need is already in the state-mandated urban growth boundary, or UGB.

“That’s going to force a lot more infill and a lot more people to build higher buildings, I guess,” High said. And that’s something many object to, as mountain views, open skies and a small-town feel are not given up easily.

To break down the cost of building in Bend:

For a lower-end lot, it will cost $50-$60,000.
Permits to build will cost $35-40,000.
Construction will cost you at least $100,000 and up.
Meaning an entry-level home in Central Oregon will cost you, at minimum, $250,000.

“The biggest driver right now is the cost of land, and it’s always going to be, especially when you have a constrained supply, which is what we are seeing and will continue to see for the 10 to 15 years,” High said.

We are so constrained because 80 percent of Deschutes County land is government-owned — and that won’t change unless the federal government starts to sell off its land.

“We have a self imposed boundary, just by our ownership,” High said.

That self-set boundary has more breathing room in other towns within the county.

“Redmond is really poised to react quickly, if they see escalating prices,” High said.

High said Redmond has a 20-year land supply, at minimum.

“Bend’s not in that situation — we barely have a two year land supply right now,” High said.

That’s leaving limited options for renters.

“We can’t stop it, it’s coming. The best thing is to embrace and work with it,” High said.

But it’s the supply and demand that leave the Oaks family, and many others, hurting.

“I don’t want (my daughter) to have to live in a hotel,” Oaks said.

Oaks said she is working 96 hours a week, across county lines at an adult foster home.

It’s the bond of their family that keeps them hopeful for a better life.

“I have friends who are living in tents outside of town,” Oaks said, between tears. “I don’t want to be there. They even offered me a tent.”

Andy High said the best way to have your voice heard is by speaking up, sooner than later. You need to make your voice heard before plans have been approved and permits handed out.