Bend launches survey on affordable housing, development

The city of Bend has launched the public survey for the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan, which gives the community an opportunity to comment on needs and priorities for affordable housing and community development programs.

The anonymous survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and is open to the public through Friday, Nov. 30.

Each year, the City of Bend, with guidance from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, allocates federal funding to various affordable housing and community development programs. The City and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee rely on feedback from the community, including this survey, to guide funding priorities when developing a Consolidated Plan.

Developing a Consolidated Plan is a six-month process. In addition to the survey, it includes public engagement opportunities at the regularly scheduled Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meetings. There will also be community evening forums held in January and February of 2019 to gather input from the community. Information about the community evening forums can be found on the Consolidated Plan webpage.

Community input will be incorporated into a draft Consolidated Plan that will be discussed at the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meetings in March and April of 2019. The final draft is expected to be recommended to City Council with a public hearing in May of 2019.

Developing a Consolidated Plan is required by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and regulations under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (HCA). This plan establishes goals and funding parameters for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program within a five-year timeframe.

For more information about the Consolidated Plan, visit bendoregon.gov/affordablehousing/conplan.