‘Incredible resource’: Housing Works breaks ground on ‘permanent supportive housing’ community in SE Bend

Not just 33 units, but a broad spectrum of services

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Housing Works, Central Oregon's regional housing authority, held a groundbreaking event Monday to celebrate the start of construction of a 33-unit permanent supportive housing community in southeast Bend that will mean much more than just a place to call home, but provide needed help and a new start in life. 

Oregon Housing and Community Director Andrea Bell and Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler were among speakers at the event for what's being called, at least for now, Cleveland Commons on Southeast Fourth Street were .

“One thing that makes this development unique is that it’s 100% permanent supportive housing, or PSH, meaning every home in this complex is for those who have experienced homelessness for many months, and even years in some cases,” Bell said. “I would like to congratulate Housing Works, the City of Bend, Deschutes County, Central Oregon’s Continuum of Care, and many others for bringing this development to life.”

Kebler said, “Today, we are here to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new permanent housing that is going to be built, which is a huge, incredible new resource for people who are experiencing homelessness.“

The PSH community will include a broad spectrum of supportive services to help serve medically vulnerable and chronically homeless in the region. 

Housing Works Executive Director David Brandt said, Brandt said, “What would happen if this wasn’t built,? Essentially, this means that there is 33 people here who would die very quickly, if they did not have this opportunity to have shelter.“

A critical component of operating PSH successively is partnering with strong service providers.  Housing Works has selected Shepherd’s House Ministries to manage the day-to-day operations, with additional support from partners such as FUSE, the Homeless Leadership Coalition and Deschutes County Behavioral Health (all organizations that support chronically homeless community members). 

Shepherd’s House will offer intensive onsite services and 24/7 presence on the property to service the diverse needs of the residents, Housing Works said. 

Brandt said, “The way that this building will be occupied is through a coordinated entry system, which is the system whereby folks that are homeless can either call and get put on the list or are referred to by case managers that they might have, from different organizations around the community.”

“If they need mental health treatment, if they have substance abuse issues, if they have whatever, nutrition, or they need on-site medical help or more aggressive medical help, all of this is provided to them on-site, in the building,” he explained

The 1.13-acre site will be leased from NeighborImpact, the region’s community action agency. The PSH community is centrally located, just a block off the Third Street corridor, within walking distance of public transportation, groceries, pharmacy, and other amenities.

The three-story building will include 24 studios and nine one-bedroom apartments, with over 3,000 square feet of community and office space for the provision of services from partner agencies. 

The building is designed to meet Earth Advantage Platinum Standard (the highest standard available) and will include such features as large, high-efficiency windows to support natural daylight, LED lighting with occupancy sensors, solar-ready, and a whole-house fan system provides filtered air into the building.  Building to Earth Advantage Platinum Standard will reduce operating costs and increase comfort for residents.

The PSH development is supported by funds from Deschutes County, Oregon Housing and Community Services, and the City of Bend.  The development was designed by the Pinnacle Architecture/Morrison Maierle engineering team, and will be constructed by local general contractor R&H Construction Co.  Construction is expected to be completed in a year, and the property will be professionally managed by EPIC Property Management LLC.

Housing Works is inviting the community to nominate name suggestions for this new development at the event or by visiting their website www.housing-works.org

Shephard’s House Ministries exists to love people well by creating environments of grace where people are completely accepted for who they are and given the opportunity to embrace significant life change at a pace that is in their own best interest.  They accomplish this through their relevant services, innovative program, and dynamic staff, without judgment or pretense because they believe this is how God transforms lives. For more information visit www.shepherdshouseministries.org.

Housing Works is the largest affordable housing provider in Central Oregon. It provides people with quality, safe and affordable homes; and through a number of collaborations, it provides the resources to help people stabilize their lives. Housing Works developments in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras and Sisters have won awards for innovation, economic impact, design, and beautification. For more information, visit www.housing-works.org.