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- 541-323-8550
- housing@bendoregon.gov

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Affordable Housing

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Ensuring that community members of all incomes have a place to call home.

I'M LOOKING
FOR HOUSING

I WANT TO BUILD
AFFORDABLE HOUSING

I WANT TO
LEARN MORE

Affordable housing is a vital component in economic development. Availability of homes at all income levels means businesses have access to employees with fewer absences. Workers are more stable and invested in their community, children have the opportunity to thrive in school, residents can make healthy choices, and we create less overall environmental burden. Research has shown that stable, affordable housing is critical to enabling families to attend to other needs, be self-sufficient and productive members of the community.

I NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

The City of Bend does not operate housing. Instead, we partner with developers of housing to help meet the housing needs of our rapidly growing city. Contact the partner organization directly for assistance.

I want to buy a home:

I want to rent a home:

I need help tonight:

The Lighthouse Navigation Center - Shepherd's House - (541) 318-0729
Bethlehem Inn (541) 389-2820
Shepherd’s House (541) 388-2096
NeighborImpact Family Shelter & Transitional Housing (541) 385-0301
J Bar J Youth Services (unaccompanied minors) - 800-660-0934
Saving Grace Domestic Violence Shelter (541) 389-7021

Do I qualify for Affordable Housing?

Affordable housing in Bend is typically restricted to 80% of Area Median Income for home ownership, and 60% of Area Median Income for rentals. This is because most funding sources are limited to these incomes. However, some properties are able to serve higher incomes—it’s always worth checking the list maintained by our Regional Housing Authority.

Median income varies based on your family size. Median income for a family of four in Bend in 2019 is $78,600.

I WANT TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

The City of Bend works to support development of deed restricted affordable housing units in a variety of types. We support acquisition and development of single family, multi-family, land trusts, mixed income, rehabilitation projects, and shelters. We have implemented a variety of tools to help create and retain units.

Funding resources may include Affordable Housing Fee funding or Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funding. As of December 1, 2017, all City system development charges (SDCs) will be exempted for qualified affordable housing developments. In addition, development code incentives have been instituted.

For more information on specifics of development code incentives, funding sources, RFPs, FAQs and other information, go to the Affordable Housing Developer Resources page.

I WANT TO KNOW MORE.

Housing Affordability: Salary by occupation versus housing affordability.

Housing Need: The current housing need calculated using US Census Bureau data is illustrated below. More information may be found in the Landscape Report Bend 2030 prepared by ECONorthwest in February 2017.

Affordable Housing Fee:

The City of Bend was the first city in Oregon to implement an Affordable Housing Fee. Proceeds from this fund have been employed to develop a wide variety of housing throughout Bend. To date, the fund has generated approximately $7 million. In turn we have loaned out over $14 million dollars leveraging over $77.6 million in State and Federal funding and $28.4 million in private equity. 770 units have been funded.

Affordable Housing FAQ:

What is Affordable Housing?/How is Affordable Housing Defined?

Housing is considered affordable if a household is paying no more than 30% of their gross income on rent or a mortgage. Thus, what is affordable varies by each family’s income. Some calculations include basic utility costs, though many do not account for transportation and other needs.

How is the Bend Affordable Housing Program Funded?

Federal funds via Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) can go toward housing acquisition, rehab, or down payments. Since 2004 the city has received $6,111,257 in CDBG funds, which has been leveraged against private and public funding to secure another $21,056,064.
The City’s Affordable Housing Fee has been in place since 2006, collecting one-third of one percent of the total valuation on all building permits submitted to the City of Bend. In that time the program has collected $6.4 million, which has leveraged an additional 106 million in public and private funding to construct 770 affordable units.

Where is Affordable Housing located in Bend?

There are projects in all areas of the city. Discovery Park Lodge on the West side, Putnam Pointe Apartments Downtown, Ariel Glen in Southeast Bend, and Summit Park Apartments in Northeast Bend are a few examples.

Bend Area Affordable Housing Map

How do I get involved with the City’s Affordable Housing Program?

Most affordable housing policies are first heard by the City’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. The Committee normally meets each month, on the second Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. Public comment time is scheduled at each meeting. The committee is comprised of members representing a variety of (business interests) surrounding affordable housing. Committee vacancies are posted on the City’s website along with our citizen participation plan.