Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Central Oregon) announced this week Oregon tax dollars coming to Central Oregon to build 77 units of housing because of funds set up by the legislature. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced the approval of nearly $23 million in grants towards building 157 new homes across the state, with about half of that funding on its way to Central Oregon.
“Central Oregon should be a place where all families can thrive and I’m committed to bringing our tax dollars back to the region,” said Levy. “Addressing the housing crisis in our region is top priority, and this 10.3 million dollars will make a real difference in keeping our community housed, healthy, and happy.”
Grant awards came from the OHCS Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Homeownership Program that the legislature established to be one of the standing mechanisms that Oregon has in place to create affordable housing for more Oregonians.
Of the 10 projects receiving funding, 5 were in Central Oregon:
- Sisters Habitat for Humanity received $3.8 million for Adams Commons, a complex to create 19 units of affordable housing.
- RootedHomes in Redmond received $2,599,996 for Rooted at 19th, a complex that will create 22 additional units of affordable housing.
- RootedHomes in Redmond received another $1.47 million for Rooted at Antler for an additional 18 units of affordable housing.
- Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity received $1.45 million for a project in Redmond called Timber Cottages to build 13 additional affordable housing units.
- Sisters Habitat for Humanity received $950,000 for Woodlands, a complex consisting of 5 affordable housing units.
Since the creation of the LIFT Homeownership Program, $71.3 million have been awarded, resulting in 47 projects and a total of 752 homes that are affordable to Oregonians.
For more detailed information about each recommended project, please refer to the Housing Stability Council packet from April 26, 2024.