BEND, Ore. — Governor Tina Kotek was in Bend on Wednesday, leading a housing workshop at the Oxford Hotel, part of the Western Governors’ Association’s initiative aimed at addressing the state’s housing challenges. The workshop brought together experts and local leaders to discuss regulatory reforms, attainable homeownership, and resilient housing solutions.
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler guided participants through a tour of three housing developments: Crescita by RootedHomes, Woodhaven Estates by Thistle & Nest, and NW Cottage by Habitat for Humanity. Each site demonstrated innovative approaches to affordable housing, with a focus on creating accessible homeownership opportunities for a range of income levels.
Kebler emphasized that while changes in policy take time to translate into tangible results, they are essential for driving meaningful progress. “Even if we make changes at the state or city level, it takes time for those to start showing up on the ground,” she said. “It’s just really exciting to be with the Western Governors’ Association and showing them how things pop out of the ground.”
She continued, “Once you change policy, you can create cottages, you can create affordable housing. Once we lay that policy groundwork, we can start making real strides.”
For local residents like Denise Rowcroft, such policies are already making a significant impact. Rowcroft shared that her family was able to purchase their first home through a program targeting households earning less than 80% of the area’s median income. “Even with increasing wages in the last few years because of inflation, we still wouldn’t be able to afford a home in Bend,” Rowcroft said. “So it’s a really great opportunity.”
During the Crescita development tour, Governor Kotek addressed the importance of effective implementation in affordable housing initiatives. She noted that while there is often plenty of planning, it’s crucial to ensure those plans translate into action. “What can you do to ensure that?” she asked. “Because we might have really great ideas, but if you don’t have the follow-through, it doesn’t happen.”
Kotek highlighted the success of the Crescita Homes community as an example of how policy, investment, and collaboration with builders can lead to long-term affordable housing. “If you get these dollars for housing or infrastructure, it will be long-term affordable,” she said. “Our job is to bring down that cost.”
The governor’s visit underscored her commitment to addressing Oregon’s housing crisis. Kotek has set an ambitious goal of constructing 36,000 homes per year, with a focus on affordability for all residents. “The goal is to create affordable housing for everyone, not just for a select few,” Kotek stated, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the housing initiatives.
As the state continues to grapple with the challenges of housing affordability, efforts like those seen in Bend offer a hopeful example of how innovative solutions and policy changes can help meet the growing demand for homes across Oregon.
