A Partnership Helping House Bend-La Pine Schools Staff – The Source Weekly

A planned development next to Silver Rail Elementary School will offer affordable homeownership for qualifying BLPS employees

By Julianna LaFollette

A planned housing development from Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity will offer affordable homeownership for qualifying employees at Bend-La Pine Schools. The BLPS Board of Directors voted on November 12 to sell a surplus property to Habitat for Humanity for $20,000 to provide home ownership opportunities, prioritizing BLPS employees.

The development, which neighbors Silver Rail Elementary School in east Bend, is set to be completed in 2027.

According to a report from a BLPS board meeting, district staff recommended this partnership due to severe housing affordability challenges, as well as an increasing difficulty in retaining BLPS employees as a result. According to the BLPS website, $64,166 is the average teacher salary and $53,182 is the average new-hire teacher salary.

“Challenges with housing affordability make it difficult for many of our employees to live in the community where they work, and that affects our ability to retain staff,” said BLPS Superintendent Steven Cook. “This project is a unique and exciting opportunity to work with a trusted community partner to help some of our employees afford the cost of a starter home.”

The Stone Creek Commons development will include a mixed-income community of 18 duplex-style townhomes, featuring two-to-four-bedroom options, attached garages, and private, fenced backyards. The homes will be built to net-zero energy standards to reduce utility costs.

The nonprofit will prioritize qualified school district staff during the initial application phase, with the potential for all units to be allocated to district employees. The initial sale offering would allow all 18 units to be sold to BLPS employees.

Eight of 18 homes will have employer-based deed restrictions, meaning, upon resale, they would be reserved only for BLPS employees through the 99-year-life of this agreement.

Employees who have incomes below 80% of the Area Median Income will have the first purchase opportunity, followed by employees with incomes below 120% of the AMI.

“This partnership with Bend-La Pine Schools represents a groundbreaking approach to meeting our community’s growing demand for stable homeownership opportunities,” Bend-Redmond Habitat CEO Carly Colgan wrote in a press release. “By recognizing the need to support their employees with affordable homeownership, BLS is leading the way in building a resilient and sustainable community. Together, we’re not only providing homes but creating pathways to long-term stability and growth for local families.”

Originally Published Here: https://www.bendsource.com/news/a-partnership-helping-house-bend-la-pine-school-staff-22183508