Affordable Housing Public Meeting: Rent Burden in Bend

Community members are invited to attend a virtual public meeting with the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 to discuss theoretical policy changes that may further housing choice.  There will also be an opportunity for the community to provide input on what affordable housing solutions could ease “rent burden” in Bend.

According to the 2021 report by Oregon Housing and Community Services, 27.3 percent of Bend residents are “severely rent burdened,” and have a very difficult time paying for their housing each month. The term rent burden applies to renters and homeowners, and is determined by census data.  

Rent burden is defined by looking at the percentage of one’s income spent on housing costs. If someone pays more than 30 percent of their income on housing, they are considered rent burdened. If someone pays more than 50 percent of their income on housing, they are considered severely rent burdened. Paying too much for housing may lead to financial insecurity, since residents often forego other necessary expenses in order to maintain housing.  

In 2018, the Oregon legislature passed HB 4006, which mandates that cities with at least 10,000 residents and at least 25 percent of its residents experiencing severe rent burden conduct a meeting to discuss causes and potential solutions to ease rent burden.  

The November 10, 2021 meeting will commence at 3pm.  

To join via Zoom: https://bendoregon-gov.zoom.us/j/87119245849?pwd=K210K0ZtenlrZ1BLUi8zZTMrWGJBQT09

Passcode (if required): 298273

Or you may call into the meeting 

• United States Toll Free: 1-888-788-0099
• United States Toll: 1-253-215-8782
• Webinar ID: 871 1924 5849##

If you have technical difficulties connecting to the meeting, call 541-410-9341  

To watch via you tube:  https://youtu.be/9HHg9fqtav0

For information on the City of Bend’s Affordable Housing Program, visit bendoregon.gov/affordablehousing. 

This virtual meeting is accessible. Sign language interpretation service, assistive listening devices, materials in alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats or any other accommodations are available upon advance request. Translated materials and live interpretation in Spanish are also available upon request. Please contact us no later than Monday, November 8, 2021 at lmcconnell@bendoregon.gov or (541) 388-5514. Providing at least 3 days’ notice prior to the event will help ensure availability.

Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities

To obtain this information in an alternate format such, Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact Joshua Romero at jromero@bendoregon.gov or 541-693-2185.