Mayor Kebler to present on Bend’s housing development efforts at upcoming meeting

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Partners for Affordable Housing and Bend YIMBY will host an all-coalition meeting on April 2 in Bend to discuss housing development strategies and prepare for an upcoming candidate forum. The meeting will take place at 4 p.m. at The Barrel Room at UPP Liquids, located at 550 SW Industrial Way.

The event features a presentation by Mayor Kebler and City of Bend housing staff on local efforts to enable housing development. The coalition, which includes the local chapter of the nonprofit YIMBY Action, aims to address the regional housing crisis by advocating for increased housing supply across Central Oregon.

The meeting agenda begins at 4 p.m. with updates and the development of questions for the Deschutes County Commission Candidate Forum. Following the planning session, Mayor Kebler and City of Bend housing staff will give a presentation from 5 to 6 p.m. regarding city approaches to housing development. The session will include a question-and-answer period for attendees.

A social hour will conclude the event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Barrel Room. Organizers noted that while appetizers will be provided, drinks will be available for purchase.

Partners for Affordable Housing was founded in 2010 as a nonprofit originally called Building Partners for Affordable Housing. It was established by members of the Central Oregon Builders Association, who worked to fund projects by securing land parcels at discounted prices for affordable housing builders.

The coalition has since expanded its membership to include large employers, unions, economic development organizations and civic groups. These organizations work together to support elected leaders in efforts to increase housing supply and reduce costs.

Central Oregon YIMBY, which stands for "Yes In My Back Yard," is a chapter of the national 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization YIMBY Action. The group advocates for a variety of housing options beyond single-family homes, including condos, cottage clusters, apartments, micro-units and multi-unit plexes.

The questions developed during the meeting will be used for the Deschutes County Commission Candidate Forum scheduled for April 30.