Managers of Bend workforce housing effort chosen
Two nationally known firms have been selected to lead a new collaborative housing policy workgroup focused on recommending and advocating for new tools, policy, incentives and development code changes that would spur more building of workforce housing in Bend.
Cogan Owens Greene and ECONorthwest will lead a steering committee of 10 (including Bend 2030, Brooks Resources Corporation, Central Oregon Association of REALTORS, Central Oregon Builders Association, Housing Works, Oregon State University – Cascades, the American Institute of Architects Southwestern Oregon Chapter, the City of Bend and the City’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee) and a workgroup of more than 25 participants over the next eight months to develop and produce a report of recommendations that would truly move the needle on workforce housing availability in Bend.
The workgroup will then work to together to shepherd its recommendations into adopted policy.
The Central Oregon Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, Bend 2030, OSU-Cascades and the city of Bend have all stepped up to fund the roughly $40,000 project between now and June.
“Many members of our community are struggling to achieve the dream of homeownership,” said 2016 COAR President Dave Feagans. “As prices continue to increase based on the market demand and lack of housing supply, our community leaders have done a great job of responding to the need for affordable housing for our most vulnerable citizens.
“As that work continues, it is important to also work toward a housing supply for working families. COAR is proud to support and join this broad-based coalition that will work through differences to find sustainable solutions to the workforce housing issue in Bend.”
The steering committee is now seeking diverse stakeholders to join the workgroup by inviting interested stakeholder to fill out an online survey.
Those with backgrounds in building, development, architecture, real estate, land-use and planning are particularly sought to develop strong recommendations related to building incentives, development code changes, regulatory concepts and other policy that will increase building of workforce housing in Bend.
All those interested are encouraged to go to Bend2030.org to take a short “interested stakeholder” survey by Nov. 18. The survey can also be found via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZTHCZDG
Decisions about workgroup participants will be made shortly thereafter, ahead of an all-workgroup forum on Nov. 30.
“To solve Bend’s complex housing challenge, we need participation from across business, non-profit and government agency partners,” said Kelly Sparks, Associate Vice President for Finance & Strategic Planning for OSU-Cascades. “OSU-Cascades is glad to sit at the table with Bend 2030 partners and help our community members, including students, find homes that help them succeed in work and life.”
Learn more about the project and apply to be on the workgroup by visiting Bend2030.org
Bend 2030 is a nonprofit devoted to bringing Bend residents of all backgrounds together to find broadly-supported solutions to the most challenging issues standing in the way of achieving our community’s Vision for 2030.
Funding for Bend 2030 is provided by the generous support of the Leadership Alliance of Bend 2030, including BendBroadband, Bend Park and Recreation District, Brooks Resources, Central Oregon Association of REALTORS, Central Oregon Community College, the City of Bend, Hayden Homes, NorthWest Crossing, OSU-Cascades, St. Charles Health System, The Tykeson Family Foundation, and William Smith Properties. To join the Leadership Alliance contact Erin Foote Morgan.
