‘This home means hope’: RootedHomes, Bend Chamber cut ribbon on Poplar Street workforce housing development

(Update: adding video, comments from executive director and a homeowner)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —The Bend Chamber and RootedHomes recently held the twice-delayed (by snowstorms) ribbon-cutting ceremony for Rooted at Poplar, celebrating the completion of the innovative, employer-supported workforce housing partnership between the Bend Chamber and RootedHomes.

Homeowner Pat Thomas said, "I think a lot of us grow up, and that's like the American dream -- you know, of graduating and going to college and get the home and white picket fence and all of that. And that just became really unaffordable and unimaginable to me quickly.”

During COVID, Thomas had been living in the Bay Area, working as a nurse when he realized buying a home may not be as attainable as it used to be. He said he was getting to the point where he was turning toward more long-term and sustainable housing.

This sentiment is shared among many young people leaving college, as well as those who've already graduated and established careers for years.

Thomas said, "so I figured out how to apply. And sure enough, I got on the waitlist and gradually worked my way onto the list, so I just feel incredibly grateful about it. To be able to live in a place that I love and in an affordable manner, in a place that is following a model of sustainability to not take more than I give."

Rooted at Poplar celebrated the completion of seven units of affordable homeownership on Bend’s westside. Each household moving into their three-bedroom, two-bath home is paying an average of $1,650 on their mortgage, 40% less than the average monthly rent in Bend for a three-bedroom home.

RootedHomes Executive Director Jackie Keogh said, "This is our third community. Folks said they wanted bigger home sizes, with more bedrooms. So families and multi-generational families can live here. They wanted designs that featured sustainable pieces like electric bicycles, EV charging, solar. And so all of that has been incorporated. And they also wanted this ability to congregate together and meet. So all the homes center on a community patio."

Keogh added, “Rooted at Poplar selected homebuyers using both a local employer partner preference and a first-generation homebuyer preference, to house those with the greatest needs and impacts on our economy. This intentionality has resulted in stable housing for essential workers from the community.”

Homebuyer and St. Charles Bend employee Jake shared, “This home means hope, not only for me but for the community, because so many of us who work at the hospital are struggling to pay rent. This provides us with an opportunity to not just live in the area but thrive. We can build equity and know we have something to pass down to our family some day.”

Rooted at Poplar was funded by Oregon Housing and Community Services, Washington Trust Bank, the City of Bend, Deschutes County, U.S. Bank Foundation, Central Oregon Health Council, Oregon Community Foundation, Solar for All, Brooks Resources, Meyer Memorial Trust, and the Bend Chamber - thanks to financial support from Providence Health Plan and specific Bend Chamber members.

Homeowners will pay $12/month in their utility costs, thanks to the net-zero design and solar panels on the home. Homeowners also will receive an electric bike as a secondary transportation option as part of a partnership between RootedHomes and Pacific Power. Thomas said, "I love that they're using the solar panels on top of the roofs and having $12 electricity bills is pretty incredible."

Keogh said, “An affordable mortgage can become really unaffordable when you're turning your heat on all the time, or you're running your air conditioning system. Our net zero homes keep these homes affordable. Folks have gone back to school, and that's in their kids' college savings plan. These are real examples of what folks are using that funding for, instead of wasting it on an energy-inefficient home where your money is literally blowing out the window.”

Homeowner Thomas said, "I think it's going to be a place where I'll be able to live and thrive and then build equity, which just feels huge. I’m just really excited to be a part of a place that I can grow and thrive and help others grow and thrive in a sustainable manner."

Bend Chamber CEO Katy Brooks said, “The Bend Chamber was excited to contribute to a pilot project that demonstrates how local employers can work together to create access to homeownership for people who are essential to our workforce and our community.”

The majority of folks living in these homes work at St. Charles, as well as Regency Pacific and other local construction companies. All residents are considered low-income, making 80% of the area's median income, meaning those who’s household make $80,000 a year or less could qualify.

Keogh said, "We gave preference to folks who are extremely low-income people who worked for a partnering employer, as well as folks who are first-generation, which means they know their parents had ever owned a home. and so in that way, we can create a little bit more generational stability."

Rooted Homes does own the property the houses sit on, but residents have full rights and ownership of the house, like any other homeowner. This way, when homes do sell, they can make sure the property is allocated to someone else who is low-income.

The sponsorships help support the difference between the cost of building these homes and what income-qualified homebuyers can afford.

The development team included Solaire Homebuilders, Ten Over Studio, Ashley & Vance Engineering, Transight Consulting, Blackmore Planning, Sunlight Solar, Earth Advantage, Energy Trust of Oregon, York Bros. Excavation, and S&F Land Services.

About 300 households applied for the program, but only seven were selected. Other potential residents can apply to RootedHomes' next development at their Simpson community, including those who previously applied and were not selected. 

If you're interested, consider setting up an informational one on one meeting through RootedHomes website

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RootedHomes’ Mission

Provide environmentally sustainable and permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for those who contribute to the fabric of the Central Oregon economy and community.

Bend Chamber’s Mission

Create an environment where businesses, their employees, and our community excel together through collaboration, advocacy, resources, and leadership to meet Bend’s business challenges.