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HOUSING AFFORDABILITY ADDRESSED
One of the most critical challenges facing our community—squarely addressed in the 2030 Vision—is the need for more affordable housing.
The Housing Affordability Survey & Forum were both designed to help us better understand the depth of the problem and how to meet this need. In using the term “housing affordability†we were clear this is a challenge that affects community members of all different ages, income levels and backgrounds.
We interviewed numerous community stakeholders that work closely with housing issues, conducted an online public survey that attracted nearly 1,200 respondents and finally staged an open community forum with audience polling.
Based on that process, Bend 2030 developed community-supported recommendations that are aligned with the 2030 Vision to address the affordable housing crisis (see side panel for a list of recommendations presented to the City Council). FULL HOUSING REPORT
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HOUSING AFFORDABILITY SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS
The survey revealed the following about survey-takers' opinions on the housing problem:
- About 84 percent of survey-takers said the affordable housing problem is critical or extremely critical.
- About 89 percent said the issue will be critical or extremely critical in the future.
- The survey showed that survey-takers felt our community has a moral obligation to provide greater housing affordability and said the responsibility to do so is shared equally by the City of Bend and housing developers.
The survey showed the following ranking for the top four housing types most needed in Bend:
- Single-family homes to rent.
- Rental apartments.
- Single family homes to purchase.
- Cottages with common spaces.
The survey revealed the following attitudes about solutions:
- One of the most strongly supported solutions was adding “a small increase to your monthly water and sewer bill (for example $10) to fund affordable housing development.â€
- Increasing density levels within the current city limits was also strongly supported. Respondents favored allowing “more apartment buildings in your neighborhood†and “smaller building lots in your neighborhood,†and “creating more density by allowing grouped housing with common spaces,†and “creating more density within the city by allowing additional units within a property.â€
- Expanding the urban growth boundary also ranked highly as a solution, with survey-takers supporting areas of the urban growth boundary expansion devoted specifically to affordable housing.
- Other creative solutions that received support were placing a small tax on second homes to fund affordable housing development and creating more density by allowing for taller buildings outside of downtown, for example along Third Street.
- The survey showed support for exempting developers who build affordable housing from City of Bend system development charges.
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THANK YOU!
To the following housing partners who helped us in the Housing Affordability planning process:
Acadia Properties, City of Bend Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Bethlehem Inn, Central Oregon Association of Realtors, Central Oregon Builders Association, Central Oregon Community College, City of Bend Affordable Housing Coordinator, Economic Development for Central Oregon, Habitat for Humanity, Housing Works, Latino Community Association, Neighbor Impact, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Deschutes County Planning Commission, Deschutes County Commissioner Tammy Baney, and City Care.
Also a big thanks to the Deschutes County Commissioners for the discretionary grant support on the forum!
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Happy Holidays to our wonderful community from the Bend 2030 team!
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