Bend’s Old Mill Inn & Suites has been transformed into 76 units of transitional housing for homeless
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A former motel turned into 76 units of new transitional housing for the homeless was unveiled Monday to Deschutes County and City of Bend officials.
The renovated apartment-style units will house individuals and families, part of a demographic the city says is often overlooked.
The Old Mill Inn & Suites on Third Street in southern Bend was bought by Fortify in 2021 to be turned into housing, with the help of the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council and Governor Tina Kotek's emergency funding.
"Right now we have shelters, and we have affordable housing. But there is there is a need in the middle," said Mayor Pro-Tem Megan Perkins, on Monday. "And that's for people that can pay fair market rent, or have housing vouchers but can't afford even affordable housing."
City and county leaders met to celebrate the opening with a tour of three units.
"Our goals are really just to try to create an environment that is safe and trauma-informed and that helps bring stability back to folks that really don't have that," said property manager William Butcher.
COIC says Central Oregon's homeless crisis is not one-size fits.
"We have hundreds that are living on our public lands. And so for us, our community, we don't see the tents, we don't see the individuals that are struggling, but they are there and they are in need," said executive director Tammy Baney.
Foundry is a private contracting company that runs similar programs in other areas of the Pacific Northwest including Medford.
Residents are referred by community partners and providers and undergo low-barrier background checks before moving in. They're expected to stay for about 6 months
"This property is going to be one where it may not be full overnight, but that isn't necessarily a negative. That means that we are getting the right people for the right outcomes," said Baney.
Residents are expected to begin moving in as early as this week.
