Bend, Ore. – In a strong show of community‑focused stewardship, Bend‑Redmond Habitat for Humanity secured $5.065 million in state LIFT Homeownership funding to build 33 permanently affordable homes for local families. The money, approved by the Oregon Housing Stability Council, will support two new developments – Stone Creek Commons and Skyline Crossing – on surplus school‑district land.
Partnership with Bend‑La Pine Schools
The projects are a direct response to a long‑standing housing shortage that has made it difficult for school‑district employees and other workers to find homes near their jobs. Superintendent Steven Cook explained that the district has struggled for years to attract and retain staff because “housing costs created obstacles for incoming staff.” By donating surplus land and granting hiring‑preference to employees during the first home‑buyer application round, the district is helping to solve its own recruitment challenges.
Details of the two developments
Stone Creek Commons, adjacent to Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend, will feature 18 duplex‑style townhomes. Ten of those units will serve households earning 80 % or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), while eight will be reserved for families earning up to 120 % of AMI.
Skyline Crossing, located on surplus land near Summit High School, will add 15 detached cottage homes, all earmarked for households at 80 % or less of AMI. Both projects will use a community land‑trust model, ensuring that the homes remain affordable for future buyers.
Affordability in a high‑cost market
Local market data underscores the urgency of the effort. The City of Bend’s 2025 State of Housing Report shows a household would need an annual income of more than $204,000 to afford the average home sold in Bend. By contrast, a typical Habitat buyer earning below 80 % of AMI makes roughly $25‑$30 per hour. Under Habitat’s purchasing model, buyers receive no‑down‑payment mortgages tied to income, resulting in monthly payments of $1,500‑$2,000 – a realistic range for working families.
Energy‑efficient design
All homes will be built to Earth Advantage Platinum standards, incorporating solar panels and other energy‑efficiency features that keep utility costs low. This aligns with the community’s broader goal of responsible stewardship of resources while preserving family budgets.
Community support and next steps
Habitat CEO Carly Colgan‑Redmond praised the collaboration, saying, “This is exactly the kind of investment that makes affordable homeownership possible in a market like Bend. The state is providing critical LIFT funding, the school district contributed land, and our community helps close the remaining gap.” The first round of applications is expected to open soon, with priority given to Bend‑La Pine Schools staff.
The LIFT Homeownership program is administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services using state bond funding, reinforcing the state’s commitment to expanding affordable housing options for working families across Oregon.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
