City of Bend’s housing efforts celebrated at second day of Western Governors’ Housing Workshop
(Update: Adding comments from panelists)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)— The second and final day of the Western Governors’ Association's Housing Workshop in Bend took place Thursday, focusing on infrastructure and homeownership efforts and programs.
"One administration, one five-year term, one three-year term in office, we're not going to solve the country's housing crisis," said panelist Seth Leonard of the Housing Assistance Council.
Oregon House District 59 Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson led the conversation on the topic of rural housing, pointing to the need for diverse housing legislation for all parts of the state.
"When we try to create something at the state level, that cookie-cutters across the state, it doesn't work. We need more local input and control," she said.
Years of underbuilding, underinvestment, and growth have caused Western states to lose control of housing, with staggering numbers showing housing can no longer keep up with demand. Federal officials are among those now calling for collaboration.
Jill Rees with the USDA Rural Development office said, "Figure out what works, improve the model, and then show what works and where those tweaks are going to be most effective and just get that message out there."
This month, the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development released its 2024 national point-in-time count, showing the state saw an increase in homelessness from 2023 to 2024 with over 20,000 homeless Oregonians, and the state ranking first in the nation for the most families with children who are living without shelter.
Qualen Carter with Umpqua Bank said, "I believe there's a gap in resources, in people. We don't have enough people to serve the people that are underserved and meet those folks in the community."
Local leaders highlighted non-profits like RootedHomes and Thistle&Nest as an example for other parts of the state. The median home price in the city was $700,000 last August and remains high as the population grows. Governor Tina Kotek now promises more than 30,000 homes to be built every year while she remains in office.
Panelist Jackie Keough with RootedHomes said, "For decades, we've thrown money, subsidy at affordable housing. We just give them more money, they will suppress the prices, and folks will be able to purchase these homes. Our homes average $250,000, for a three-bedroom Net Zero unit - and still households can't afford them. "
Kotek spoke at Wednesday's opening of the two-day workshop and joined others in a tour of three affordable housing projects around the area. Here is Tracee Tuesday's report on the workshop's opening day.