Habitat for Humanity gets $350k for affordable housing project

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Bend City Council approved $350,000 in homebuyer assistance Thursday to support eight local households purchasing homes through Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity.

The funding addresses a financial barrier for buyers who can afford monthly payments but cannot qualify for a mortgage large enough to cover the cost of a home in Bend. The eight households earn an average of approximately 60% of the area median income, with two families earning below 50%.

The homes are part of Bear Creek Village, a new affordable housing project located in central Bend near Pilot Butte. Habitat for Humanity acquired the property from the city as surplus land. Hayden Homes is building four duplexes at the site, which is within walking distance of an elementary school and a park.

Eight families have already been selected to purchase these homes at a reduced price. In addition to the city assistance, the organization received state funding to support the project.

Bend CEO Carly Colgan-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, said the location provides residents with significant convenience. One selected homeowner currently commutes from out of town to work at St. Charles Health System. “This is easy access to a lot of places,” Colgan said. “We have a homeowner that, commutes in, from out of town to work at Saint Charles. And now we'll have an opportunity to ride his bike to work. So those are the things that are really exciting about opportunities like this.”

Hayden Homes hopes to complete 33 more affordable homes through two other projects later this year.