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On Thursday, April 17th the community came together for an evening of engagement around the important topic of workforce housing in Bend. This event, which was a collaboration between City Club of Central Oregon and Envision Bend, provided attendees with the opportunity to engage with local organizations from the Partners for Affordable Housing who are offering services and working address issues related to affordable and workforce housing, hear from a group of speakers about the challenges facing workforce housing and highlighting some of the innovations and progress being made, as well an opportunity to sign up for a follow on day of action with Bend Redmond Habitat for Humanity.

 Matt Muchna, ED of Envision Bend and Board Chair Sarah Holcombe offered an overview of the 4 pillars of our community vision—guiding growth and development, building a diverse and sustainable economy, ensuring a safe, healthy environment and cultivating an inclusive community.

Matt and Sarah noted much has been completed or is well underway since the culmination of the community engagement process and adoption of Envision Bend in 2024.

Jonathan Bach, author of High Desert, Higher Costs: Bend and the Housing Crisis in the American West followed with a keynote overviewing the gaps in middle-income housing across our region. He noted the housing crisis has impacts across multiple sectors in Central Oregon.

Jonathan moderated a lively panel discussion between Deb Flagan, VP of Community Engagement for Hayden Homes, Karl Dinkelspiel, deputy director of Rooted Homes—a community land trust, and Scott Nordquist VP of Resource Development, Habit for Humanity, and currently partnering with Bend Lapine School District to develop housing for local teachers.

Overall, progress on pathways to middle-income home ownership is unfolding, yet much work remains. Community support is key. Takeaways from the panel discussion included the following:

  • The need for subsidized middle-income housing in Central Oregon is somewhat unique, and acute in Bend.
  • While median income is going up, so are housing costs.
  • 95% of employers cited housing as a barrier to workforce development.
  • Partnerships are key. The City of Bend is partnering with Hayden Homes to develop housing that is deed restricted and affordable. Notably, over 17 different partners are at the table with Hayden Homes for their Parkside Place development.
  • Rooted Homes plans over 80 homes by year end 2025.
  • Zoning remains problematic. Inclusionary zoning policies, SDC deferrals with tiered exemptions and other subsidies are under consideration, adoption and are essential.
  • It will take continued investments, partnerships, innovation and imagination to meet this housing gap and develop strategies to deliver affordable homes.
  • Education and continued community advocacy is also key.

For a more in-depth review, please listen to the full recording of the forum here.