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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Bend 2030 HOUSING AFFORDABILITY SURVEY 2014 - ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The additional comments and suggestions represent the respondents' personal experiences and views and do not
necessarily reflect the views of Bend 2030. We've made every effort to move any personally revealing or offensive
content and are not responsible for any inaccuracies.
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The landlords and property management companies need to quit being so greedy!!!
The central district MMA plan will not benefit me. It will be sold as if it will, but instead it will be a money maker for developers and the
wealthy who can afford to set their own hours and bike to coffee shops between public meetings setting the policies that advantage them.
Developers are advantaged over individuals building homes and over private contractors trying to do good work. Did I men,on I worked for
government? Local government is allowing developers to do whatever they want and run rough shod over the community. Eventually these
new developments, which have minimal oversight, will fall apart (literally) and the city/county will be dealing with that blight.
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When I moved here 25 yrs ago there was plenty of rentals available. I know several people now that are living with friends because although
they can afford an apartment, they can't find one for rent.
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Enforce laws by not allowing property management companies to get around current laws. An example is carpet cleaning: The apparent
loophole is they say they have to use 'specialty' equipment to clean carpets.
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Everybody has a story....a need....a dream....if only we were given a chance or a break or a path that with determination and the desire to work
hard for our dream of home ownership....a hand up out of hardship and not a handout....just a chance.....What a better place this world would
be....a better America....a better Oregon....a even better Bend a community we could all call our home.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
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In Sonoma County California and particularly in Santa Rosa, some approaches have provided affordable housing. Some ideas I will list have yet
to be implemented there but should be considered. 1) For developers of affordable housing the City and School Districts can delay the fees
associated with mitigation until occupancy for rentals, and certificates of occupancy for homes. 2) There is a Federally funded program for SelfHelp Build homes that helps to provide low mortgage rates and considers the work of a family in building the homes in lieu of a down
payment. This is for low income families that commit to 30 hours a week in building all homes their community. 3) Santa Rosa instituted a
Growth Management Plan that included limits on building permits per year. They split them into affordable permits and others. The affordable
were determined by size (1200 sq.ft.. for a one story 3 bedroom as an example) and allowed builders to draw permits from both A & B if they
build their subdivisions with 50% of each. This was very successful until the recession. 4) All the cities and county of Sonoma require an
affordable housing mitigation fee unless the affordable housing is built on site. They vary in the amount required and amount of fee. This is
called Inclusionary housing and is very controversial. Some communities require that the affordable houses be built on site and some just
require a fee which can be leveraged by non-profit developers to provide rental housing. This is not an answer but can be part of an overall
program.5) The state of California has a program that allows for increasing density called a Density Bonus if a percentage of affordable housing
We would prefer smaller single family homes to be the affordable housing of choice only because apartments can bring questionable people
and activities to neighborhoods if they aren't constructed very nicely.
We have a housing crisis. Additional housing, specifically affordable housing is necessary. That said, growth needs to be done carefully and
thoughtfully -- anticipating future consequences. For example creating additional density in the city center might seem like a good idea on the
surface, but can the infrastructure (water, sewer, power, roads, traffic) handle the additional load? I doubt it.
I think that Bend should have a rent cap and vacation rentals and small residential Bed and Breakfasts should be either limited or done away
with all together. More shelters need to be opened for families alone and mandatory winter shelter in these empty industrial warehouses that
sit empty year after year for those in need to have somewhere to go instead of being forgotten about or made to feel like they don't exist. I
also think that all these homes that sit year after year, empty, should be used to help the homeless get on their feet instead of being
abandoned. I also think that making bus services available 24 hours a day would not only make jobs more accessible to those without a vehicle
or bike, but it will create more jobs, reduce car traffic, reduce air pollution, create more $$ for the city, businesses would thrive, wages would
increase do to the influx in $$ and the economy would improve.
I would like to see more private landlords and less property management companies also I think landlords should be charged more property
10 tax for the higher they charge for rent. I think by doing this it would keep single family homes rent more reasonable.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
There is a LOT of land within the existing Urban Growth Boundary to provide affordable housing. Developers should be REQUIRED to provide at
least 20% of multi-family or smaller houses in EVERY development over 20 lots. And, minimum house size required in HOA's should NOT be
allowed within the Bend City Limits. (Maximum size is OK.)
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The current zoning and SDC's favor large homes on large lots which has created this problem. The minimum lot size should be reduced in ALL
zones; but especially within a mile of downtown.
The best cities have neighborhoods with schools, stores and restaurants within walking distance. These neighborhoods are then connected to
downtown and retail centers with good transportation. The current planning process is a great opportunity for Bend to create these
neighborhoods and connect them with good public transit.
12 Something needs to be done. Hopefully the community will make it happen. The poverty is getting out of line here.
I never noticed it until news stories focused on the issue of vacation rentals. I now see that there are half as many cars on my street now and
13 half the homes look empty. no wonder rents for locals are sky high...all the homes have been turned into vacation rentals. everyone is out to
make a profit and there are no affordable rentals anymore.
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When people with good jobs can't find housing in Bend, something is wrong. Too many houses are being taken out of the rental market by
vacation rentals. This affects the economic growth of Bend.
In early August our family made one of the biggest investments of our lives… buying and moving into a 1920s home in the Old Bend
Neighborhood. Before buying our home, we thought we could rely upon Bend’s historic and residential zoning to protect our new
neighborhood from disruptive changes. Now, we fear that Bend’s lax vacation home rental standards (3.6.200 L) have spawned a “land rush”,
of residential home conversions to lodging, which could rapidly erode some of the city’s most livable inner neighborhoods. While we hope the
Council plan will tame this it raises bigger issues about Bend housing policies. One of Bend's best ways to assure more affordable housing is to
15 conserve (not convert) its existing conveniently located single family housing in inner neighborhoods . In these areas Bend needs more
incentives to support long term renters and first time and long term homeowners. New affordable housing at the urban growth boundary is a
mirage, since most urban edges remain less accessible to services, jobs and transportation than already established neighborhoods.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Moved to Bend 10 yrs ago, am a senior. The very first thing Bend needs is a GOOD transit system, which it does NOT have, so that seniors who
are active but don't drive could live in their homes & still get around. The other thing is that Bend has an abundance of overpriced retirement
centers, but many seniors do NOT need all the extras they charge for. I for one would love to ﬁnd
a nice apartment or complex where one has security, is s,ll convenient to groceries, libraries, etc
and is restricted to those over 60. There aren't any moderate priced ($1200-$1500) units solely for this age group with all the features above16 men,oned. I live in a mfg. home behind the senior center
but security is a problem, as is walking distance to stores, etc. And the bus system is preposterous! I also feel Bend's governing units lean
toward the wealthy tourists, snowbirds, and really cares little re the average family (working people etc). and actually would rather encourage
the wealthy rather than help build housing for the middle-class.
17 Affordability housing must be done hand in hand with infrastructure development to support growth.
The concept of letting developers develop on their own terms is irresponsible, the California style of slam as many cheap identical homes into
an area does not develop an area properly. Homes need to be built responsibly, they should be unique enough so that homes across town will
appreciate at relative positive levels so that Bend grows at positive levels, preventing sections of socio-economic disparity. Bend needs
18 architectural design differences built into code/regulations. The current concept of super HD housing should be reconsidered and more row
homes with large common areas should replace the 5' setback concept and move away from a grid road work system.
We are self-employed and have a good household income, and we are just about priced out of the Bend rental market. I cannot imagine how
lower income people are doing it.
I feel that it is our responsibility as a community to offer solutions and that these should 'trump' other projects that are just about recreation
20 when considering budgets. There is still a lot of wealth in Bend and some of it should be directed to deal with housing issues. May-be the tax
money on vacation rentals can be directed to affordable housing for the residents of Bend.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Increased density in the core of the City and in neighborhood clusters is something Bend needs to see as a necessity for future livability. This
density would be made possible through rezoning, which creates higher economic values and uses of existing land, often with structures
(homes) nearing the end of their useful lives, already in close proximity to ameni,es, transporta,on and places of employment.
Higher density (i.e. taller permitted structures) is not the singular solution, however. No one solution will be. It would be part of mix of
solutions that together provide a variety of housing and living alternatives in the City. Expansion of the UGB is critical as well, but should be
21 one part of the solution. We're afraid of what taller building heights and density would do to livability, views, etc., but don't talk about the
effects of sprawl: miles of natural space and trails destroyed, increased dependence on autos for transportation, city services stretched further
from core while basic needs (roads) are falling apart all over town, and a slower albeit inevitable impact to livability. Increased density also
provides a mechanism for aﬀordable housing through incen,ves rather than mandates.
The community needs to accept that for the same reasons we live here, others will continue to move here. The City is growing up and needs to
reduce its dependence on, and infatuation with, detached single-family homes. Smaller lots (with ever-larger homes) are not the answer.
22 Build more apartments, town homes, and single family home as well as more low income housing.
23 I love what your doing. Affordable housing is so important for the whole community.
Bend seems to have rebounded in regards to the R/E market. Some homes are on the market for prices the seem to be "pre-recession" . There
24 seems to be a lot of housing development on the West Side. How is this affecting supply/demand overall? Is the uptick in housings starts and
prices sustainable?
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Affordable housing is achieved through housing options. Developers will build housing to meet market demands. I support removing zoning
restrictions to allow more flexibility in what developers can build.
More reliance on development/market forces and less of a sense of a "moral obligation" to provide housing. Bend needs options in a variety of
price ranges, and should encourage/allow the market to help provide this. Not surprisingly, a lack of apartments and high occupancy at current
locations leads to more apartments being constructed. Bend does not need government to subsidize (socialize) housing of all types in all
neighborhoods as part of an "income desegregation", it is unreasonable for people to think that they are entitled to what others have without
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paying for it. I cannot afford a yacht, where are the "affordable yachting" opportunities for me? In the same way, "affordable housing" should
be focused on providing the minimum necessary for safety/productivity, it should not be an entitlements program that rewards low income
and penalizes others to subsidize these costs.
One aspect of the housing picture not mentioned in this survey is the increase in vacation rentals. It's impossible to find a solution to the
housing problem unless the removal of between 350 to 450 housing units to vacation rentals is addressed.
28 People need to stop being so greedy!!! It is NOT all about the money!
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
The housing market is completely out of control. Locally, landlords and property management agencies are imposing rental fees that are
almost identical to living in a large metropolitan city (i.e., Portland). Salaries in Bend do not reflect these outrageous rental expectations.
Housing problems are causing serious problems for the working class. Between the cost of rent, utilities, and childcare expenses there is no
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money left for food. At this rate, Bend will have no middle class left in five years because they will all be forced out. Something needs to be
done.
Thanks for doing this. Please share this with the City of Bend's Growth Management Department and the City's Affordable Housing
Coordinator
(I am a private investor in small rental properties) There is not an easily accessible 'free' source/classes for tenants that need housing to
prepare them for rental applications or for housing purchase either - how to qualify, how to budget - preparation. Perhaps we could consider a
source where property managers or owners could list their available properties and what is their 'qualifying' information. There could be a free
31 class monthly that tenants could take and learn how to run their credit report and learn their rights and responsibilities. And the same could
be said for people who want to purchase - perhaps run by a bank or mortgage lender.
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The cost and availability of infrastructure (water & sewer) to SE Bend within the urban growth boundary has been too high. Reduce the urban
growth boundary in those areas and move it to areas, like the NE, where infrastructure is more available.
32 Support smaller lots and smaller homes. A criteria for dense housing is having an offset with parks near by, such as apartments and
condos.Strengthen earthquake codes for concrete buildings.
If this trend continues then Bend will be a place for only upper class groups who typically only here during tourist season. Not a win win for
Bend by any means.
I appreciate the angle and shift in terminology. Housing affordability versus affordable housing. There is so much more involved with housing
affordability and it truly encompasses more of our community as a whole versus the negativity that surrounds affordable housing alone.
Affordable housing wrongly associates groups of individuals into stereotypes of "below poverty line", "low income", "section 8", "high risk",
34 among many other stereotypes. I know I am not in those groups based on income alone, but I also feel the daily struggle to afford the rent I
have. Housing affordability is a huge concern for me and many of the friends and families I work with daily. I appreciate what I see as a positive
shift in terminology that will hopefully guide Bend 2030 towards the change necessary. Thank you.
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The uppity elite of this town need more diversity. There's enough people in Bend that it's ridiculous the disparity of land owners is what it is
How will anyone afford homes once the new college is built? Bend is similar to Hawaii. Many locals who have service jobs are poor working for
the wealthy visitors. Huge homeless problem all over Bend.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I would like to see better programs available for hard-working first-time home buyers. Bend does not have the job opportunities to support the
37 housing market that we currently see here. Real estate and rental prices are driven by out of state buyers with disposable income. It's sad.
Bend is a beautiful place and we would love to raise our family here in a nice home. We collectively make over 100k, but are sometimes
38 shocked by the prices of homes in neighborhoods we would like to live in, as well as the types of homes we can actually afford.
39 Higher property values drive higher rents.
I just would like to see at least more apartment duplex available for people to live in, & be affordable as well. I hate to hear people tell us that
40 they have to live in a hotel room because they have not being able to find a place to move into, or homeless due to the same fact.
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I had heard that this area was dog friendly. It must be for owners, not renters. I've seen deposits that are outrageously high. I cannot
understand how people get past the point of earning a living and have anything left over.
I can't tell you how sick it makes me to read about all the vacation home rentals, mostly in west Bend. That's disgraceful. We need to tax
those units heavily to take care of housing aﬀordability. Personally, I would do the same for owners of second homes.
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I think integrating neighborhoods on a SES basis is the way to help us all feel like we're in the same boat.
I just wish people would stop using Bend to make a buck. I know its wishful thinking but I wonder if there is a way to prioritize home buyers
43 who are actually going to live in the house and cultivate community - over vacation rentals, house flippers, or second home owners.
Construction of new low income housing is a great start, but those buildings need to be maintained. There are several near the hospital that
are extremely run down and unsafe. Offering incentives to landlords who offer more affordable housing- like property tax breaks -would be a
44 great idea. There isn't enough emergency relief for homeless families and individuals. A shelter for battered women and children would also
be a great goal- many women are forced to stay with their abuser because she couldn't afford housing on her own in the current market.
Erasing those barriers is a great start for healing families.
45 We need higher wages to gain in housing affordability.
There should be a rental appraiser who decide what a house should rent at. Not just willy nilly what ever the homeowner wants to rent at.
46 And then you have all these Californians swarming in up here with their money and are taking over.
Housing prices have gone up astronomically. There are no homes available for working people. The only way to afford a home is to have
47 several roommates which isn't going to work for single parents. If Bend wants it's locals to stay we must make a change.
48 The city's allowing wholesale unregulated conversion of affordable rental housing to vacation rentals is criminal.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Landlords and developers need to keep the working class in mind when planning their big ideas for housing in Bend. All the working class will
move and the rich and the extremely poor will be left in Bend. We are seriously considering moving out of state ourselves. We hold 3 bachelors
49 degrees between my husband and I and we can no longer afford to live here and still have any type of lifestyle besides working for enough
overtime to afford to live… it's very disheartening…
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The city of Bend needs to stop issuing permits that convert workforce housing to transient lodgings in residential neighborhoods.
If we do not do something to stop the rising costs and help members of this community then people are going to have to leave. Do we really
51 want a town that only well off families can afford to live? It is really sad to see Bend go in this direction.
52 Make is easier for younger families who grew up here to stay and raise their families
53 Gentrification is alive and very strong in Bend.
It needs to be taken into consideration that most of our population is low income. Everyone deserves a nice affordable place to live. And
54 everyone deserves to have the option to live in a house or an apartment.
We've lost many neighbors who were long term renters because the house owner converted the house to be a Vacation Rental. We feel like
we've lost our residential neighborhood. What used to be a great neighborhood, and homes for residents, where kids could walk to school and
parks.. is now 40% commercial transient lodging.
Strangers come and go all summer. Houses sit empty Monday- Thursday. Most cities protect resident housing by restricting short term rental
55 in RS zones to 30 days or more.
Bend has lost over 500 homes to commercial use. Very sad. Since Sept. 1, 105 more permits have been given. Residents are pushed out.
Rent goes up since homeowners can get more $$ from California, Portland, and Seattle tourists. The city needs to ban short term commercial
use in RS Zones!!!
I do believe there are many more baby-boomers out there who wish to remain independent for as long as possible and who see the
advantages to having a smaller house to care for while advancing in age. Many of us are active and healthy and wish to remain so in an area
like central Oregon with the advantages of the climate (though it is changing everywhere), and the closeness to open wilderness areas for
56 staying ac,ve and healthy.
We've had our larger family homes and now want the simplicity of smaller, energy efficient housing to see us through our so-called "golden"
years.
57 More volunteers and more people in the community to come together!
58 I believe there should be more help for those that have to work for the minimum wage or at the lower wage level
59 We need more affordable apartments that accept HUD vouchers.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Where does the city plan to house the students of the OSU campus? I 100% support the OSU campus however, students will be competing for
housing which will further strain an already weak housing market. Our planning seems to always be behind the need. Fred Meyers proposal to
develop on the North end is limited by planners lack of vision and proposal for a 5-10 year sewer expansion. The limited vision of our current
planning is unacceptable. Plans developed 8-10 years ago for the Juniper Ridge project, paid for by tax payers, understood and predicted our
current growth with clear planning for addressing affordable housing. Why is this resource being ignored? Who is responsible for spending
hard earned tax payer dollars to develop these plans only to dismiss and ignore the recommendations? You don't have to use the land of
60 Juniper Ridge but you cannot continue to ignore the recommendations which addressed affordable housing, transportation, green space and
small business development. It baffles me that we will spend more tax dollars to put out a survey monkey to collect information about a topic
we have already paid to have assessed, planned and developed. Will the comments here be ignored too?
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Housing affordability should not be shouldered by the community at large. Bend is a great city, but it is growing faster than the city can keep
up. Traffic bottlenecks in certain parts of town will only get worse. Developers should be able to develop their land/lots as they wish, but
allowing them greater height and density may allow them to make equal amounts of return on investment while providing housing for lower
income people/families.
Making the government more indebt and poorer by giving people more money for housing is stupid. Doing things to lower rent is what is
needed. Also it is very frustrating that many times responsible working citizens have to pay twice as much or three times as much for living
arrangements while "low income housing" is subsidized with our paychecks... I can't afford to pay my own rent. Why should I have to pay taxes
that go to someone else's rent? Pretty soon there will be no one pushing the wagon and just a pile of people in the wagon wondering why they
are going no where
There is no such thing as housing affordability in Bend at least not for the people who run your shopping centers pump your gas cook Your
food etc..........
We need more affordable housing!!
There needs to be more affordable places to live. A law against out of state people buying multiple homes here in Bend.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Bend needs to stop being in the hands of developers. This community has a history of helping developers while leaving the rest of the
community out in the cold. This has led to many homeowners and landlords who are NOT part of the Bend community - so they don't care
about their community.
It is time for Bend to look at improving the livability of its current community - not just with affordable housing, but with safer bike paths,
more bus routes, and improved infrastructure.
The City Council needs to be paid a decent salary so they can no longer be bought oﬀ by developers.
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Allowing developers to build cookie cuUer homes window-to-window makes Bend ugly.
Allowing developers to build without putting money into the City's infrastructure (buses, bike lanes, street improvements, sewage and water
costs, etc) and then trying to fund these items through property taxes and bond initiatives is not sustainable anymore as Bend approaches a
popula,on of 100,000.
The way the City was managed may have worked when Bend was tiny, but it is a failed model in this day and age and for the size of Bend now and in the future.
Government subsidy for single working parent should be allocated instead of more parts. We live in Central Oregon everywhere is a
67 playground and a park not New York City. We need to allocate money from Parks and Rec to affordable housing
68 Build affordable housing on affordable land, use busing for transportation.
69 Look at Portland - compact living is not really the way to go. That is not why I moved to Bend
Leave it to the open market. Government intervention by do gooders does not work. It is contrary to basic economics
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71 Many people that can't afford housing in Bend are crucial to our community.
It is just sad that I can not provide a good living situation for my family. I work very hard and just trying to survive in the town I grew up in has
gotten so difficult. I have lived here 30 years of my 33 year life. I have gone to the elementary, middle and high schools here. I wanted to raise
72 my family here, but I don't know how much longer I can survive here in Bend.... And it is so disheartening.
Spread the boundary - east is cheap- by the way make sure you put a bypass around the city and an east west route for ease of access. Central
73 Oregon city's do not get it- if people want to stop they will, if not let them pass through.
74 Keep the government out of direct involvement, use incentives but otherwise minimize social engineering.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I am actually a landlord. I have tried to maintain affordable rent and to support Section 8 tenants. I have been frustrated by some tenants'
lack of respect for neighbors: i.e. noise, disregard for accumulation of mess outside the condo, parking, damage to the unit, etc. I think
education as to HOW to be a good tenant could be a reasonable expectation (although kind of insulting). Also affordable child care, much
improved transportation . I would be very willing to pay more taxes to support these efforts. Biggest problem is inadequate minimum wage for
many of the jobs in Deschutes Co.
75 I know this sounds elitist and a bit controlling, but I think the solutions need to come from both directions. As a "have", I am more than willing
to maintain reasonable rent and advocate for other taxpayer provided solutions. I also think many of the folks struggling with housing that
isn't affordable could lose a bit of the entitlement act - not for decent housing, but that "somebody else" owes it to them. Also, Habitat for
Humanity has some useful points of view on what is "helpful".
Thanks for this opportunity.
Affordable student housing I believe would be highly beneficial. I could not find housing for over 4 months and even had to take a term off
school because I didn't have housing in the area. The housing market for students is extremely difficult
77 A person cannot live on their own in Bend and be able to afford to eat as well.
I continually hear from college students who are challenged financially of their difficulty in finding affordable and LIVEABLE housing. This lack
of housing interferes with their performance in school and at work, and for those with families their basic stability. Hearing of increases in
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vacation rentals and then seeing individuals struggle to find affordable housing is of great concern to me.
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The reason many of my answers earlier were "not in my neighborhood" is because I live in an historic downtown neighborhood. We need to
79 preserve our historic neighborhoods while still providing more affordable housing around town in newer areas.
Housing affordability would help create a more culturally rich and diverse community in Bend.
Rent is beyond ridiculous... This has to stop
Build more affordable apartments close to services on the East side.
Something has to give or its going to burst again.
The term average, when applied to income specifically, is very misleading. Due to the disproportionate level of income for those in our
84 community in the top 5% income bracket, when an average is applied to determine what is "reasonable", then reasonable becomes
unreasonable for many people.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Bend needs density and housing diversity. And not just apartment complexes, but real livable solutions that fit lifestyles. More 1-2 person
household dwellings, more shared-living neighborhoods like cohousing and pocket neighborhoods. Apartments over businesses to lend
85 vibrancy to downtown. Integrating more affordable housing units into middle class neighborhoods near parks and schools. Creating
intergenerational communities that are supportive by design, instead of the isolating garage in the front, fenced backyard single family
subdivisions that are everywhere.
Yes. I own a home in Bend but had to move to Ashland for a job. In Bend 2030's "prosperity with a view" goal, I want to suggest that Bend 2030
put pressure on local employers - St. Charles, BMC, to name a few - to pay market instead of under market wages. I am a health care provider,
making roughly $20,000 more per year in Ashland than I would in Bend. Recently, a friend in my line of work went to negotiate his contract
with St. Charles, taking in national and Oregon salary data. St. Charles replied that they had that information, but that they "pay 37% below the
median" and their posi,ons are "take it or leave it" because there are so many people who want to move to Bend.
Its not just health care. A good friend of mine is an executive at a local temp and employment agency. She recounted to me that her biggest
86 challenge is "trying to convince local employers that $10 per hour won't feed a family." She offered that, just as St Charles says above, local
companies know they can pay what they want because there are no other op,ons and people want to live in Bend.
I heard Governor Kitzhaber speak at the Tower in January - he challenged this "prosperity with a view" goal, stating that brining in big
companies and more employers to the area might change the things that people espouse to love about Bend - proximity to the outdoors, small
town feel, etc. I would argue that adding residen,al campus will do that too.
I am glad to see that Bend is working on this. I am sad to see that we are, again, so tragically behind the 8-ball in addressing the issue. I also
87 When you increase density you need more public open space, parks and trails. Also these facilities are open to all incomes to use.
My husband and I moved to Bend because housing and the cost of living is much more aﬀordable than in most areas of California.
There is quite a lot of construction going on in my neighborhood that includes smaller homes with shared space, smaller homes with almost no
88 yards, and larger homes with yards. I understand condominiums are also to be built, and we also have mixed use housing as well as duplexes.
Seems like the free market has "allowed" this variety, and the neighborhood seems to be thriving. I do not believe that incentives or
government programs result in the best solutions for a market.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Housing affordability will be a bigger issue once OSU comes to Bend. WHY IS THE CITY ALLOWING THE OSU CAMPUS to be located in a small
enclave of Bend?????? It doesn't make any sense! Not only will it create a traffic nightmare on Century and Mt. Washington/Reed and the
surrounding area, there is not enough land to build affordable student housing? It reminds me of the time when the DMV wanted to be
located in the Brookswood Plaza in a pocket neighborhood. The developer was desperate to find a long-term tenant that most of the local
oﬃcials were willing to look the other way to the impact traﬃc would have on the surrounding neighborhood.
89 OSU campus in the middle of Bend is taking away valuable land that can increase population density, which affects housing affordability. There
is so much land north of town (Lowes and the Juniper Ridge Complex) that not only will accommodate a growing 4-year university, but
wouldn't impact traffic or housing affordability. Expanding the UGB north of town to accommodate the OSU campus will attract a mixed-use
development to include aﬀordable housing.
Also, how is it that the county allows developers to ban ADU in HOA enclaves? It just doesn't make sense when one considers that that more
land we "develop" for new housing, the more negative impact we create for the environmental longevity of this area. Many new
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
What makes housing expensive in Bend boils down to the competition of tax funds. The government bureaucracy needs to support their
re,rement funds and annual pay increases (while the rest of the private sectors live with market rate wages).
Contribu,ng factors include but not limited to:
-SDC and permiWng fees to build (that don't contribute to the actual cost of the building or the land purchase)
-taxes and fees that fund superfluous "demands" from public schools (like iPads for every child, smart boards, technology, new curriculum ever
few years, bloated administrative budgets and personnel who don't teach, support materials to teach kids how to take standardized tests,
etc.)
-taxes and fees that fund over-bloated government entities; it seems that the county and city offices are full of red-tape employees whose sole
job is to increase the fees it charges the tax payers, while collecting a salary paid for by the tax payers. This lack of efficiency and
overcomplicated, slow to respond system is sucking the life out of small businesses and the spur for growth. for example, a small bakery who
wants to expand its business has to pay so much in permiWng fees that it discourages growth.
90 -taxes that fund building of MORE MORE MORE parks! really, if more people can't afford to LIVE here, why is the city building more PARKS? is
it necessary to build an ice skating rink? or to develop more parks along wealthy corridors? it seems like the parks exists to serve the interests
of the few, at the expense of the many.
Ultimately, landlords will pass on these fees and taxes to the tenants, making rentals in Bend increasingly expensive. It is only when the real
estate market collapses that landlords are forced to reduce rental prices, due to the popula,on leaving because of unemployment.
Focus on reducing fees and taxes so that developers can build affordable housing, and landlords can charge less for rent. Give landlords a tax
break for keeping rent low, for example.
Something that is often left out of the equation of affordability is energy prices. New homes should be built for lower heating/cooling and
maintenance costs. Any builder can build a sheck of a home that costs $300/month to heat during the summer and cool during the winter.
My main observation as a newcomer to Bend is the lack of density in prime development locations. I don't support the concept of developing
"affordable" single family homes on smaller lots which is not maximizing the land resources. Smart design and utilizing construction
91 technologies can make affordable housing desirable in higher densities without degrading the living experience. No cookie cutter box slums
please! Design standards would need to be established that will hold developers accountable to the housing quality issues along with their
economic priorities.
I think that by NOT expanding the Urban Growth Boundary it keeps housing prices higher by limiting supply of new building sites/lots, thus
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making existing homes more expensive as well.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
The fees imposed to build new housing is ASTRONOMICAL here in Bend. System development charges, permitting fees, inspection fees, and
property taxes etc has got to come down if housing is to be affordable. Every govt entity wants a piece of the pie, so a builder or landlord has
to charge a price that reﬂects the soY cost of building.
Promote ADU; do not allow CC&R and HOAs to ban it. Reduce permitting fees and outdated restrictions on ADU (like dedicated parking).
There is research in Canada that lists the barriers that discourage homeowners from investing in an ADU.
I work for a social service agency, and we have seen a large decrease in our caseload due to people having to move away from Deschutes
County to find affordable housing. Transportation is a huge challenge for most of our participants and if they can't live close to where they
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work they have to move away. We also see many families that have several family members living with them just so they can help pay the rent
on a small apartment.
Density is good, but if you are going to have density it needs to be in a mixed use area. You can't just cram a bunch of houses in an area. That
is just undesirable sprawl. Look at the Northwest side of town. It is dense, but very walkable to services. More neighborhoods need to be
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mixed use like this with storefronts....Not big box storefronts, but opportunities for small business owners. Create real "neighborhoods" not
sub-divisions.
I hesitate to trust building developers to create affordable housing because they would be built on the cheap without insulated windows or
doors. Affordable housing should also be safe housing. Trailer parks sound like an option but I remember when a trailer park decided to sell
the land and all those people were forced to move. Also trailer parks are often built on flood plains so they are not safe in that way also.
Therefore it is up to public servants aka politicians to set safe and energy efficient standards such as offering the builder tax breaks or
96 discounts for fees if they build passive solar apartments. One idea is to require 5% of the cost of the building to be spent on diverse heating
choices such as electricity in small rooms, natural gas in larger rooms and a living room with a wood burning stove and doors to seal off the
one room in case of an electric "brown out" or black out. The kitchen oven should share the heat used to cook food to another chosen room.
Housing uses more energy than all transportation types put together. Make the houses smaller on garden lots.
97 The payments for rent should be regulated by the district
98 Developers should help more with the cost of affordable housing.
I believe it is important to consider the impact of Airbnb and other "vacation rental" options in neighborhoods. A detriment to community.
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I think that much of my impression of Bend is that it's population consists of a lot of transplants from out of the area that have more money
than those that work and have lived in Bend. These people coming into our area and buying up available land and driving up demand which is
prompting sellers and renters to increase the prices. Bend has had such an increase in prices and the building of homes in the last couple of
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months we are on a similar track to what we were on when the market crashed and Bend suffered greatly. I think there needs to be a balance
between what is provided, who it's provided to, and how much can be charged for it.
101 Much of the housing development in Bend is poorly planned and all of it is over priced.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
It would be nice to have other employers come to Bend for tax breaks and other great benefits Central Oregon can offer, which will help
102 expand the work force, and if better pay was here, then housing may be more affordable and more housing supply built.
I have always thought since I lived in Japan that we could use our space better. I think the idea of density and creating more smaller spaces
with better efficiency is the way to go for housing. Everything is so spread out. I have also longed to see more density in the use of commercial
103 property and design of commercial buildings so that it is more affordable for small businesses, we pay way too much for square footage that is
not always needed or being used. With more innovation we could use less space which I think can be cozier and quaint and charming.
104 I think businesses need to get involved since they would benefit from a workforce that can afford to live in the community.
The cost for housing will continue to grow as long as there is limited supply. We need to add to our housing inventory to help reduce the costs
of housing. This includes higher density urban type housing in the right places within the city as well as more single family homes in the right
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places. Offsetting housing costs is an option, but only a temporary fix. We need long term solutions.
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I see too many large homes being built currently that I know the average income won't support, especially on the west side of Bend.
I live in the county on 2 acres and originally wanted to put a small apartment on the property for my disabled adult daughter.
I was told I could put a single wide mobile home on the property if she had health issues and the mobile unit would have to be removed
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immediately upon her relocation.
Expanding the UGB and building UP are ***NOT** * the solution to Bend's problems. There's plenty of open spaces, unused land within the
current city limits that can be developed. Build UP and you block the views which people move here to enjoy! Building OUT necessitates
creating roads, sewers, etc. that need to be maintained. It's wasteful and it's ugly but for some reason Bend likes to do these cheap and easy
solu,ons.
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Please look to what the City of Boulder, CO has done regarding housing: multiple cottages on one lot, row houses, mixed use development,
height restrictions, repurposing an old school into housing. It's time for the City of Bend to get creative. Stop giving developers free money (no
fees?!) for building yet one family must pay thousands of dollars for an ADU which have a lower impact. It makes no sense.
Also, there must be plenty of Section 8 housing and plenty of home that stay permanently affordable. Or entire subdivisions. Again, see
Boulder, CO.
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Tax incentives must be offered to give owners and developers / builders the incentives to create affordable housing... a reduction of SDC fees
are a paramount need for creating affordable housing in Bend.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
When affordable single family houses come up for sale- first time homebuyers should have priority for purchasing. These houses should not be
available to Investors or second home purchasers until on the market for 30 days or more.
This is a current news worthy topic, but I have no knowledge or experience as to how other communities have addressed affordable housing.
Providing this knowledge would help me as a resident better understand options and associated trade-offs that I could get behind and support.
Lack of this knowledge, I'm left to respond as I did in this survey from a gut/ my social fabric perspective. Also, what do we do about
111 neighborhoods with CCR's that prevent multi-family, low income, higher density, etc. housing that require 3/4 of all homeowners to vote yes
to change the CCR's. Does the city just impose a change?
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112 I know several people who are trying to find housing and it is very difficult.
While affordable housing is a crisis in Bend, we need to recognize that part of this is "coming of age". Affordable housing challenges are
nothing new to major urban centers, which have entire systems dedicated to dealing with them. A combination of markets, revenues and
incentives can correct the problem, to the degree that it can be corrected. However, Bend does not have the staff infrastructure or financing
mechanisms in place to begin to respond to the problem, much less come up with long-term strategies. Bend's current respond seems to be to
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lurch from crisis to crisis with no broad-based housing strategy. What is really needed is an effective system for addressing this challenge on a
permanent and ongoing basis to allow for ongoing investment and calibration as a desirable Bend continues to attract residents and
businesses.
114 No subsidies.
This is a tough issue. It is important to balance affordable housing with the goal of maintaining Bend's unique character and culture.
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I am getting ready to rent out a room in my home to help with mortgage payments and I cannot believe that the going rate is 600 for a room
Has anyone thought of matching senior citizens who need help to stay in their homes with people looking for affordable housing? Usually
there are several unused rooms in the senior's home. There are many chores the senior can no longer do such as yard work and simple
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repairs. If an organization could do background checks on the "renter" and match abilities with needs, it could be a "win win".
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1. I think there's s,ll a lot of undeveloped property in Bend with present UGB to develop before some of the alterna,ves you suggest.
2. I think public transportation WITHIN Bend also needs to be improved to make affordable housing more accessible to non-drivers.
119 If rents go up because of the market then wages in Bend should be a key factor as well.
My home was very affordable, and I am thankful for that as I was able to raise my son in a home we were purchasing. But now there is just
120 myself and the utilities are going to be the end of me living in Bend. I am one person in my home and I pay as much as 4-member families or
more and businesses. That IS NOT fair!
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
The market is being driven by those that don't necessarily live in this area. Bend is a beautiful place but the city is going in the wrong direction.
Living wages are scarce,
Affordable housing usually requires additional police services if it is centralized. To be effective affordability needs to be widely dispersed so it
doesn't create poverty and crime centers.
Lack of available and affordable rentals. The rentals are getting very high priced for people to afford.
Housing affordability has NOTHING to do with density. You can have the highest density on the planet and still NOT have affordability. Just
look at NYC, or SF for good examples. It's NOT necessary to cram people together to get affordability. People come to Central Oregon for the
scenery and the recreational opportunities or a hundred other reasons, but NOT to be crammed in with a thousand other people in postage
stamp sized lots or 50 story apartment buildings. Bend has recovered from the closing of the mills in the 80's for the most part and has
transformed into a recreational destination. The housing aspect though has been severely neglected. Developers should NOT be allowed to
build ANY residences w/o at least donating to an affordable housing fund. Better would be requiring them to actually build affordable housing
units for a certain percentage of every development they build. And I'm not talking about MORE apartments either, any moron can build
apartments. Housing affordability encompasses more than just the cost aspect, there is also the ongoing efforts on the part of property
management outfits to lock out anyone with less than stellar credit or convictions for non-violent crimes. People with convictions paid their
debt to society and yet they continue to be punished for things that happened years ago. Credit reports are another way people are
The only affordable housing in Bend that I can say isn't lining the help's pocket is the woods and a tent. There is a lot of money coming in to
help, and I only see a small amount of it being spent on the homeless, or people who could use a hand. . .
126 Rental prices should be raised in line with cost of living, not at landlord discretion.
The government should not be involved in "affordable" housing. This is market driven. Appropriate zoning for "higher" density housing will
allow investors to build more apartments and duplexes. The government should not subsidize any of these activities or investments. The
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rental market is hot, investors will build if you give them the zoning.
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Allowing easier development of ADU's and the cluster housing concept seem like the quickest to begin implementing.
Bend will loose its vibrancy and heart if we become an Aspen West. We need to help all who work in our community find decent, affordable
housing.
Build "boarding houses" like they had around the turn of the century until the 30s or 40s, I think. Basically a room with common facilities for
workers who need short-term housing. Innovative low-cost homes like those built from shipping containers. Finding building developers who
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think outside the box and are willing to try green, sustainable solutions especially for energy, power and building materials.
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City, County, And State Buy and zone large sections of land just outside out the city limits make them large lots develop them build ready and
131 auction them off use the profits to buy up inter city lots small and large close to the center of town for affordable housing.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I would like to see more Habitat for Humanity sponsored homes being built in & just outside of Bend. I would like to see less "transitional"
housing & more permanent housing for women & children being offered. Better bus service couldn't hurt either, for the time being. But
affordable housing is a good thing for everyone involved, especially children & seniors!
I know that there are a lot of people who would love to live in a single family home or a duplex, and less so in an apartment complex, but the
rent for a single family house can be as much as one (1) monthly paycheck. Thus making it hard to live anywhere without roommates or
multiple paychecks coming in.
Taxes get paid by renters in the end not the property owner.
The new micro-home concept would fit well in Bend......affordable, green, hip.
It really bothers me that affordable housing is typically built on a low bid situation and the quality is so poor. Does anyone stop to think what
most of these houses will look like in 5-10 years? They will need painted for sure, and do you think anyone living in the house can afford this
work, I doubt it. It is a recipe for neighborhoods that will look bad in the very near future.
I believe this is such a critical issue as the less affordable housing becomes, the more gentrified and less diverse our city will be. It is hard to
watch.
Bend is trendy and large amounts of money are being made by developers. If you really want to promote affordable housing, you need to
offset some of the city costs to builders of affordable housing.
I don't think current apartment complexes are held to high enough standards to enforce the quality of life they state on their leases. They feel
they can treat tenants poorly or not tend to issues because there are limited other affordable places to move. I don't think it's fair they can
play slumlord because of the market conditions.
We do not want to create the Aspen problem of high costs that keep workers from living in city.
I am a habitat owner. As a single parent with 0ne income this was the only solu,on
that I had to afford a home.
It is essential. There is a housing crises and it is impacting the most vulnerable populations.
CC&Rs severely limit the ability to create affordable housing (additional units, lot size, HOA dues, etc.). Future subdivisions should not have
CC&Rs except under unusual circumstances, and they should be limited to physical limitations of the site.
A 3 story duplex was recently built right by my home. It is poorly planned and parking is a nightmare. Another one is being built right down the
road. Nothing else in the entire neighborhood is 3 stories tall. I don't think structures should be permitted like that. There needs to be better
planning to maintain the livability of neighborhoods.
People are really getting ridiculous about how much they charge for rent.
Builders who build affordable housing need to get breaks on fees and taxes.
Please get the work that is being done on this pushed out in public view as much as possible so you can get more people involved in helping to
solve this critical problem.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Supply of rental homes and apartments is the issue. Increase supply and the problem will be reduced. Resetting expectations for folks with
lower incomes is also important. If you can't aﬀord a house and their are apartments in your price range this seem like a reasonable solu,on.
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Small business owners should not be forced to pay a higher mortgage rate. If the mortgage rates were reduced for small business owners many
of these folks would by homes and not be stuck in rentals.
It would be great if there were tax credits available for families who own homes and maintain a current mortgage. The credits and subsidies
149 are nice for moderate income families looking to help with renting, but what about the families who take pride in their home but are struggling
just as much?
Expanding the UGB, while also adding significant density requirements in specific areas (in current and expanded UGB) would be my favorite
choice.
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I strongly support single family housing developments that provide a small retail center, common park space. I am less supportive or large lots
(6000 sf, for 2300 SF house). 4000 to 5000 sf lots are sufficient for new single family housing stock.
The housing costs are getting crazy again, I know a lot of people who are just waiting to buy because we all think home prices will drop again.
The apartments here are visually undesirable and do not have the amenities that most apartments in other cities have. When I have lived in
other places, washer and dryers in units were common place, as were air conditioning and fire places. It would be nice if Bend had nicer
apartment complexes so that neighborhoods would not be so against having them nearby.
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They could be seen more as Condo's then apartments. Also with more choices comes more affordability, the supply and demand are clearly off
balance.
153 We need well seasoned, trained and experienced leaders in this town that know how to grow the town not ruin it!
Address transit issues and reduce reliance on autos. Collect statistics for how much urban space is required for each car that is added to the
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community, versus how much space is needed for alternative transit modes.
Affordable housing was identified as the number one issue in 2007 by Headwaters Economics study of Deschutes County's economy. Soon
155 after, the recession created its own pool of "affordable housing" so the issue went away and we did nothing. Here we are again in the same
situation - let's do something this time.
156 Stop discriminating against manufactured homes, by zoning and by the way they are financed and also how they are valued.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
As our populace gets older we still do not have enough smaller, single-level homes to support their ability to continue living independent of
assisted living.
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Younger families need the ability to live in smaller single-level homes, too, and not near the parkway, railroad tracks, or large apartment
complexes.
Changing property set backs and lot sizes, allowing for regular single family homes to have a bit more space between houses and enough yard
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left for children to play in.
My comments nearer the beginning of the survey re: establishing a Poor Farm is not a joke. As an RN At St Charles I see so many homeless,
noninsured people who need housing, food, showers, clothes, medical care, rides. I truly believe this form of housing would help these people
159 and keep them from begging on the street corners. Of course we would need to create a better name- if some one donates a lot of Money it
could be called "___________________'s Ranch."
If contractors are allowed to not be required to pay SDCs, they should be held accountable for their quality of work. In Bend, there have been
too many buildouts with less than quality work. In 10 to 15 years, those buildings will be low end, high maintenance dwellings which will result
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in the renters or owners paying even more for energy consumption and maintenance.
property taxes should be SIGNIFICANTLY higher for 2nd homes or rental units. income tax on vacation rental owners should be higher.
Developers should be responsible for improvements to sewer/u,li,es!
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It would be nice to have more programs geared toward helping low wage earners who work full time to purchase homes or other incentives.
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Packing more people into smaller and smaller lots will degrade quality of life. Families need space for children (yards).
I DO NOT want the urban growth boundary expanded, we need to be more efficient with the land we have, and allow land outside to be used
for wildlife and agriculture. Paving more of the earth is not the answer.
Bureaucratic influence on the market usually results in greater expense to building costs. It also tends to go the way of creating entitlements
for protected classes of individuals. Allowing greater freedom to create housing without the expense of government programs, fees and
164 charges would allow the market to better meet the demand over the long term. Short sighted "Band-Aid" approach to restrictions and
services tends to have an immediate impact while having negative long term effects.
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I would love to be able to buy or lease a small piece of land and build an affordable Tiny Home (less than 1000 sq. ft) but due to current
regula,ons am unable to do this within the City of Bend.
Check out this affordable housing movement, http://tinyhousetalk.com/tiny-house-movement/
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
My company, which depends on a steady pipeline of talented people available for hire, may have to create branches in Portland or Seattle.
166 Worst case, we may have to move to these areas if hires can't keep up with our growth.
No, but I do question the "gas card" prize for taking the survey. A more local choice would make happier and be more in line with Bend 2030's
goals and objectives.
I do not think it should be/landlords profits be subsidized at all. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer that way. There needs to be zoning
changes and SDC eases/waiving so that more affordable housing can be built to ease the demand and lower the prices with more inventory
available and landlords will have to compete to get good renters by offering affordable prices for clean and decent units. Maybe landlords
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should be taxed a bit higher on their rental incomes as well to offset the loss of SDC revenues for the government to build more/improve
utilities.
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Need to expand the urban growth boundaries and allow for more multi unit housing including higher structures in areas where residents can
walk to retail and restaurants. Create a urban living atmosphere in the cities like many others have. With all that Bend has to offer it is a
destination but affordability is an issue.
Tax free or enterprise zone for affordable housing. Encourage development through savings. Similar to Portland's Pearl District. 5-10 year tax
incentives.
Affordable housing should be looked at on a County-wide basis, not on a city by city basis. Thus the focus should be on transportation
efficiency or transportation subsidy if required. Let the market decide on types of housing; don't force it or you'll end up with the same mess
the federal government created.
I have always worked with low income populations. Finding rental housing for myself with a decent income is difficult; I am concerned about
the limitations for those with additional barriers of low income, poor rental history, etc
173 Density needed downtown. Greenwood to Franklin should be tall apartment bldgs
In other US cities developers are required to take into account the needs of all people not just profit when given building permits. Let's
establish a percentage amount of affordable houses that must be built on projects of 8 or more homes. Then let's establish a fund that allows
174 developers to pay the amount of the cost to build those affordable houses. This will let the developer ignore the criteria and build all houses as
they like. The fund can then be used to buy land and build affordable housing anywhere in the City.
The property rental companies are contributing to the financial difficulty of families searching for affordable housing due to their application
fees and recommendation of inflated rental rates to homeowners. The landlords are certainly taking advantage of supply and demand in
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raising their rental rates to ridiculous levels. This is no different than the price gouging that often occurs in many communities after a natural
disaster strikes.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Affordability should not be placed in large groups, isolated in the community; it should be spread and decentralized. How subsidized programs
operate is more important than the funding model. Money alone will not solve the problem. The additional costs are systemic. High land cost
and a low supply increase the land costs. The desirability of Bend as a place to live drives demand high. Cost of City fees and minimum housing
176 constructions standards are too high. Subcontractors and such have to charge more to live here as well. One of basic problems is still work
force or work availability that is too low in remuneration to afford the cost of living in Bend.
It is bad. Working people are going to have to leave the town if you don't find a way to either raise the minimum wage to meet the cost of
living... or .... lower the costs of living to the worker's average wages.
My husband and I were prepared to leave Bend in 2011 as we saw no future for us here. Then the vacation rental market started heating up
and we were finally able to make a decent return on investment on our properties. We stayed in Bend, love it here and now live a comfortable
178 life. We know neighbors and friends who managed not to lose their properties to foreclosure once rents increased. Rent increases due to the
increase in demand for rental properties has had a positive influence on the lives of many homeowners and landlords here in Bend.
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Investors and others need not be so greedy in their pricing - city needs to cut fee's - leadership needs to think beyond housing to jobs as well
and make the environment more friendly for businesses.
We do not need more government and more regulation forcing the creation of the "perfect city mix". Send all the Portland planners back to
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Portlandia and let there be different places in the universe as the market determines.
My husband and I both work full time, he at a local brewery and I work at coca. I have a college degree. Our income is less than 3k per month,
making it difficult to support our 4 children. Employers need to pay more competitively. And the city needs to stop treating our community as
if it is a theme park. It is unacceptable that tourism is our top industry. We need to focus on aUrac,ng more employers.
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181 Vacation rentals are a huge problem. I saw an ad for one at $90/night with a 30 day min...where the renters were expected to also car for pets
in the unit. Its just pure greed and selfishness, and bad for the community. I also saw an ad for a 600 sq ft ADU that the owners want $1200 a
month rent for. It seems exploitative to me. Vacation rental owners and large developers should be paying more in taxes and utilities.
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All local residents should share equally in a solution that addresses the entire communities needs (whether it be within City limits or County
limits). No one segment should be responsible.
Higher density, in my opinion, is the best solution vs. sprawl. It further develops the community and is better for the environment.
I think it is a bad idea to create solely affordable housing neighborhoods. Everyone who has lived in Bend for a significant amount of years
184 knows where these areas currently exist and avoids these areas. Affordable housing should somehow be integrated into all neighborhoods.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Since I moved to Bend in 1973 it has always been referred to as "poverty with a view". Due to the fact we are a heavily tourist based economy I
feel we should provide for all the low income workers needed to fuel the tourism industry. It angers me that Bend has developed for the
185 wealthy and the out-of-towners with so little regard for the people who make it all happen through their low paid work. If all the service
industry people suddenly left what would Bend do????? Grow a conscience maybe..................
The affordability solution can be found in basic economics! As with any commodity the way to lower the price is to increase the supply or
decrease the demand. I think we can all agree that decreasing demand is not likely or in the best interest of the community. Therefore by
186 expanding the UGB it will increase the supply of land & lower the cost of housing. We need to do this ASAP! A rising interest rate climate will
only make affordability situation worse & it is a matter of time before interest rates start going up from their historical lows.
The other issue surrounding housing is the extremely high property taxes. Although we all love the parks in Bend, only having homeowners
187 support these amenities that are used by all residents in Bend is becoming difficult for more and more homeowners. Why not spread that
burden among all residents?
Bend is not an affordable community for the local workforce. That's what happens when you only want to promote to the outside tourists
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interests and not work at bringing in living wage job opportunities to the area.
I believe I said everything in the above comments. I love Bend and all of Central Oregon. I want my kids to live here and appreciate the
beautiful out doors and the entrepreneurial spirit that makes up our regain. But if housing remains high and utility bills are high how do you
propose that someone working in retail afford $1200 for rent, at $100 water bill every month and $120 electric bill on a little bit above
minimum wage? Homelessness will go up, theft will go up and people will leave for better opportunity's. In Bend we seem to have a
disconnect. People are either very wealthy because they made their money somewhere else, An entrepreneur that is scraping by month to
month or a working class that is still living with family or renting out a 3 bed room house with 6 people just to make it work. Something has to
189 be done to bring affordable housing solutions to Bend. I have 3 friends that I know all moved to Redmond this year because they can buy a
better home for 30% less and when they left they took there businesses with them. If my rent keeps going up we will have to move as well.
The landlords seem not to care at the moment because inventory is so low and at the current moment they can raise the rent and make a little
bit more but what about the long term? how is this sustainable? Non-Profits are overwhelmed with people needing help. We all need to help.
I think affordable housing is a very difficult subject for the community of Bend because of the extremely large gap in economic groups. I also
think zoning needs to be looked at through out the city so more mixed use community centers can be built. More and more people today want
190 to live close to grocery stores, schools, parks and restaurants - be less dependent on vehicular transportation. Today, those areas are out of
reach for a lot of our population.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Better jobs is number one! There will always be a limited supply of choice housing in the core that people will fight over so no matter how
191 you subsidize the choice housing, you will never be able to put everyone down town or on the river.
Housing needs to be in lock step with jobs. Until we have an adequate number of good paying jobs, new residents need to link their income
192 with available housing. If they do not conform with one another, Bend is probably not the best place to migrate to. The principle of supply and
demand need to address the shortage.
Housing is a huge issue here in Bend! I have many friends who are currently looking for a place to live on the Westside but can not find
193 anything they can afford. One friend does not have a car and is trying to live near her work. Most housing options that are available are not
near public transportation or are on the outskirts of town.
Though I have never experienced this. I do see an issue and that is that wages that are paid need to be congruent with the amount of rent that
is charged. Not everyone should own a home, some people should rent. I do see rents that seem to be too high for the average renter, this
becomes a problem for the community. The only way to address this is to allow developers the opportunity to build apartments that they
194 make a reasonable profit on from the amount of rent they charge. Some times government can just plain make it too expensive (through fees,
and demands) to build something that can be affordable for a person to rent. This is how I would address the issue.
As a real estate broker I know that there is a lack of cheaper housing. I have many clients who WANT to be in Bend but are only qualified for
$120,000-180,000. There are so few in that price range. They need 3 bed / 2 baths and would really like about 1400 square feet. I think that is
a reasonable amount for a lower income family. The only locations in Central Oregon we can find any properties such as these are the
195 outskirts. Redmond has some pop up but are quickly taken. I also have clients approved for $90,000 with 4 kids. They would love to buy
something that can fit their families as well. I think we need to have housing developments to meet these needs and we would have more
property owners, not just renters.
196 Better bus transportation from outside city limits.
Affordable housing is a city and county issue. They should put a cap on the rent allowed in neighborhoods that are classified for lower income
families. It's hard to say exactly what that will be. But the income ratio to the rental ratio and utilities are difficult for families with children.
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The cost of day care is expensive and takes a good portion of the paycheck along with rent and utilities.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I've always been a small home person. I cannot see myself living in an expansive dwelling. My dream home is approximately 1000 square feet
with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. And being on a smaller lot would be fine with me with a small fenced yard for my pets. Or the
concept of smaller homes with a common area. Even more apartments would be beneficial. I see the expansion of the urban growth
boundary to be a big deal especially with the college soon to move in. Students and families are going to need places to stay beyond just want
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the campus provides and having Bend be able to move forward with that anticipated growth is also a major factor. Personally I would love to
be able to live in Bend and avoid the daily commute, but at this point there are too many factors keeping me from making that a reality and
affordability is probably one of my biggest concerns.
Stop building homes on extremely small lots. That is not the American Dream in my opinion. Growing up in the late 70's early 80's I can
199 remember having a large yard to play in. Now the affordable homes are just stacked on top of each other. Causes chaos I think. People need
breathing room.
While I don't think government is obligated to do such things, I do believe that we need to create a culture that makes it easier for private
200 entities to provide affordable housing. Government should be a participant in this process.
Many of my answers are based on my home being right on the city limits and my neighborhood being almost fully developed meaning not
201 being able to have multiple family homes, smaller lots or many other items I chose somewhat likely.
Homelessness is a huge issue that is linked to the lack of affordable housing. The homeless in Bend are a huge growing problem. City of Bend
Police stated to me that they spend 90% of their time dealing with homeless. The homeless are abundant and aggressive. This is a HUGE
202
issue. Pot smoking downtown and pan handling. Is this beautiful Bend? I think not!
203 Smaller Lots! Multi-acre lots in the UGB is not necessary.
There is not enough affordable housing for minimum wage workers who should live closer to work to avoid increased traffic, higher expenses
204 for transportation commutes, and increased day care costs, travel to services. Mixed use residences allow all residents access to services,
while meeting local needs.
Cottages with shared space are nicer than apartments. Row houses, townhouses, zero lot line subdivisions are nicer than apartments with
their sea of parking. 3 flats or 4 flats would be nice in the urban areas. Thinking about the central core, there is almost nothing like this...even
areas currently zoned RM in the central-near-in-core areas have traditionally developed with large lot single family homes...allowing cottages,
to in-fill the back yards somehow would be awesome. Most of these areas do have alleys. Some things stopping the in-fill with ADUs is the city
205 requires a 24' backing space behind the ADU garage or parking stall - this is ridiculous. Sisters, Oregon interprets the 24' backing as measured
from the front of the stall, not the back of the stall. This would help since older alleys are usually 12' only. Also, the CUP fee is crazy high. But
even more crazy are the SDCs for parks district on the ADU - it is full boat of a single family home and adds $4000 to $5000 to the price at the
get-go.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Just overall concerned with continued diversity and affordability of the area as time goes on. It would be a shame if Bend turns into an area
like Boulder, Aspen where it's so infeasible to live for all economic levels. Especially when it is the resort / outdoor lifestyle employees that
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helped make Bend what it is today. To be a vibrant community - we need affordable housing. Personally, I want to build a small house near
downtown.
Better/more mass transit within Bend would also help (you only listed from outside of Bend in the list above). We live is a older, mid city
residential area yet it is nearly a mile to the nearest bus stop. There are many neighborhoods and apartment complexes where transit is not an
easy op,on.
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Spread out aﬀordable housing. A few houses per neighborhood is beUer than building rich divisions and poor divisions.
Good luck!
How about making co-housing units available for all generations to share: playgrounds, gardens, meeting facility for groups/clubs, parking, etc.
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Everyone shares costs/responsibilities.
I'm very invested in a moratorium on vacation rental permits until the community and the city get this issue figured out. Many vacation rentals
are "cute" Westside cottages that would rent for $1000/month. Every one that disappears from the rental market is another place that now
someone that actually lives here cannot rent.
I'd love to see more high-rises built for middle-income singles and families like the one in NWX and by Cascades Brewery. Low income housing
209 will become increasingly important. We can't just force the working class way out east.
Also, I'm very surprised there is nothing about OSU on the Westside. This has not been thought through. Even the first year according the
website, there will be 300 students looking for off-campus housing. If locals can't even find an apartment to rent, where are these people going
to live?
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Jobs with a working wage or full-time. Most entry level jobs are part-time minimum wage. Leaves you working more than one job to get by.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
This is a HUGE issue for the workforce that keeps this community running. We are drowning! Rents are outrageous and we deserve to live in
this community too. How can we ban homeowners from turning their homes into vacation rentals? It distorts the price of the rental market.
And leaves homes empty that could be used by groups or families that actually live and work in Bend.
The number of rentals available through property management companies is insane! These companies charge ridiculous fees for applications
EVEN IF the house is already in the process of being rented to another group. I would love to see an increase in monitoring and regulation of
211
property management companies, and to see landlords manage their own proper,es.
If Bend wants to keep the service industry afloat, which is necessary for tourism, then finding a solution to affordable housing is absolutely
crucial.
I am worried about all the vacation rentals on the Westside when there is such a lack of home rentals. I wish that vacation home owners would
instead be long term landlords. If that could be incentivized that would be encouraging.
213 Property managers should be regulated more closely.
Affordable housing would allow each family to live in a home/apartment separately and not have to share a home with other
214 families/individuals.
Ownership versus renting is desirable - more home pride and better upkeep.
The city needs to suspend permit fees for ADUs. Also, existing, illegal ADUs should be grandfathered. Changing the minimum lot size for RS
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properties would create more infill.
Speculators grabbed up the limited amount of land available for housing. This in turn drove the price up, and the city was complicit in this with
a failure to expand the UGB. When speculators know that more land is going to be added to the UGB they will not bid the price up.
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Economically the city needs to provide housing that the low wage service employees in Bend can afford. Businesses need workers, but the
primary types of businesses we have do not pay a high enough wage to pay for housing in Bend. Often lower income people end up in outlying
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areas, such as LaPine. That creates additional problems for our county roads. It also has a negative impact on the amount of pollution from
carbon emissions being put into the air. The pristine beauty of Central Oregon is one of our great strengths, and the lack of affordable housing
is damaging it.
217 Yes. Make this a Redmond thing too!
218 There is no housing affordability! Period, its gotten insane!
When a developer chooses to terminate his tenants from a rental because he wishes to sell the house, I feel the tenant should have at least 60
219 days to move and never 30 no matter how long he has been in the rental. This is of course only if the termination is due to the owner wishing
to put it up for sale.
220 The quality of the house must be good, no junk.
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221
Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
There is very little property available for duplex, triplex or 6-plex construction. The city has the ability to zone some, so do it.
I am both a renter and homeowner here. My feelings are so strong that we need to maintain some level of affordable housing that I am renting
my house ( a contemporary rustic home, 2BR home on .5 acres) for only $850. When I listed it on Craigslist, it took me a month to get through
interviews for the right tenants. I was swarmed by applicants and this was 1 1/2 years ago. Like many, I considered turning my home into a
vacation rental. I opted not to because of how much I've love the 'neighborhood' feel of Bend over the years. This will be lost without
affordable housing to residents of Bend- good people who came here for good reasons, trying to contribute to the community in meaningful
ways. I'm not interested in participating in the level of greed that has permeated this community. I'm not interested in putting extra money in
my pocket to simply ﬁll Bend with well-to-do passerby's, leaving the city lacking any authen,c sense of iden,ty or soul anymore.
222 As a renter, I'm living in less than ideal circumstances currently. But because of the housing situation, I'm choosing to stay in my predicament
until I can find something through word-of-mouth/friends. I'm lucky enough to have been here in the community for 13 years and connected in
ways most people are not. I couldn't afford to go out now and lay down a deposit, all the fees and standard rental prices people are asking for
now. So I'll stay where I am until I can find something that works. This not ideal, though. I'm grateful I'm not in crisis because I'm aware for the
many who are, they have little to no choice for where to go. As a result, landlords are sidestepping common housing laws and mistreating good
people. This is not the community I want to live in.
A moratorium on vacation rentals while the issue is evaluated may result in finding that we have enough potential family rental homes in Bend
to make a real difference in rental costs and availability. Neighborhoods are not appropriate for resort living. That's why we have so many
resorts. While we cannot force these property owners to convert to monthly rentals or sell, it is the appropriate goal: families make up
neighborhoods.
223 Accessory dwelling units would be acceptable only if Bend rejects them as rentals and yet, by allowing them for personal/family use only, we
would be helping our seniors and adult kids with disability and their families. Having renters in back yard cottages is not going to help retain
and rebuild our small neighborhoods into communities. It's hard enough for families in neighborhoods with lots of monthly rentals. Our homes
are for living in, not for making money.
Apartments are preferable.
Why is there no leash on this towns real estate market? I think flooding this town with a bunch of 1,100 square feet boxes is not the answer.
224 Force builders to build real people homes. Quality and character in a home is something everyone deserves and I shouldn't have to pay $250k
to get it.
225 The high rents are dissolving our spending money, thus the money can't go back into the local economy.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
To meet the 55/45 UGB ratio we need well sited apartments, closing (within three miles of downtown. I am afraid the only new apartments
226 will be sited outside of this zone causing severe traffic consequences---we have to avoid this.
Bend is growing exponentially. I wish that we would be focused on neighborhood communities. Such as, in each district creating a hub, where
there is shopping, cafes, etc. I'm comparing this to Portland. There are dozens of little burb districts such as "Hawthorne, Alameda,
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Mississippi, etc...". In each of these areas there is incredible community and identity, and it gives these areas more "soul" than just sprawl. I'd
like to see this created.
Bend's answer to everything is to raise property taxes and raise utilities! It's getting old. I pay more a month in property tax than I do towards
my principal loan balance. Same goes for water, I pay more for the ever rising sewer fee than I do for my actual water consumption. We pay
over $300/mo more towards taxes and utilities than we did 2 years ago. Maybe we'll be paying twice that in a couple more years. Figure out
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another way to pay! We've already accepted the fact that we can't afford to retire in our beloved Bend but these rising costs are gonna drive
us out even sooner.
New developments are eliminating all open space (an example multiple developments between Wilson/3rd St/China Hat/27th. The lot size
continues to be smaller where there is very little space between houses. Is this because the City wants more income to pay for investments
into the infrastructure for water and sewer? I have attended several Council meetings hearing that Bend is wooing businesses to come to
Bend. I hope they are for higher paying jobs and not just service jobs that have a lower paying wage. When does the planning for the future
lead to overbuilding like we had 2008-2012. I believe we finally got through that, and now it looks like the same overbuilding will happen
again. Where or what kind are the jobs for those seeking rentals or lower cost housing? Our housing development built in the 1970's with
large commons and bigger lot sizes has been a target, in my opinion, Moderate income people with mostly retired and on fixed incomes.
More taxes to accommodate others is not on their minds. This development is struggling to keep what we have based on the affordability of
229 homeowners dues versus their income. If water is so scare, why are we continuing to allow more building that will further create more
concern? Higher density using higher building structures is not what I think Bend's future should be. Hotels/motels maybe but that's about it
in my opinion. There is a development that began several years ago (Lois Lane and Parrell) that still have not been built. Another off Benham
and approximately Chase that I heard has big SDCs that the developer cannot afford and therefore cannot finish off what was started. Move to
another area other than the Old Farm District. Find places within each district that can provide a variety of types of housing. Don't make SE
Bend keep taking all of the developments.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
The market will eventually resolve the housing issues and the private sector will move to address the market's housing needs . . . IF
government is not an obstacle (e.g., onerous fees, regulations, red tape, restrictions, etc.). Government should NOT be involved with
230
manipulating housing, "affordable" or other. Zoning restrictions should be minimal without any "UGB."
The amount of vacation homes within central Bend are over-inflating the cost of home prices, as well as rent rates. VRBO's are also reducing
smaller home renting/buying options for the full time residents of Bend. Smaller homes seem to be the most common house size for the VRBO
owner, leaving liUle housing op,ons for those of us who'd like to or need to live in Bend.
231 With OSU-Cascades slated to settle in the NW area, it seems the only available housing for the students will be around the edges of town
(highly increasing the traffic levels throughout town). Especially since the surrounding neighborhoods to the campus site are mostly gated, or
are populated with smaller homes which have a significant amount of VRBO's.
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Single parent households could put money into there children's activities and lives if they didn't have to put 75% of their paycheck to just
"rent"!
I like the idea of higher buildings along 3rd street and the industrial areas West of, particularly North of Greenwood and South of Olney
I'm frustrated that we have to let the market rule the conversation. Housing is of the deepest and most basic importance, and any thought of
234 civilized life must include ideas of humane efforts to provide quality housing -- or at least housing.
235 Taxes, talk about the taxes. I have to imagine this affects renters as well.
What makes Bend so beautiful is the amazing sense of community we have here. We have that because the people who move to Bend tend to
not leave, they stay and raise families here; resulting in more Bendites. These people have lived by serving tourists coffee and beer, by bussing
236 tables at those five-star restaurants by the river, cleaning the hotel rooms of our visitors. Now these people, the people who make Bend so
amazing, are being forced out of their homes. The housing situation in Bend is going to change Bend, hurt it.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
When a person envisions living in Oregon, we anticipate a connection with nature, everything about Bend exudes that, except the way homes
are built, already far to close together with neighbors window views looking directly into one another, alleys behind the home minimizing the
already tiny outdoor personal space; diminishing privacy and security. Bend development continues shearing down more trees and endless
new paving (in the 70s we were taught that global warming was caused by the heat collection of paving in cities and lost trees, Earth days were
dedicated to tree plan,ng to combat CO2.
237 I support the small cottage concept as long as common green areas are provided, minimal paving and in areas that do not require decimating a
forest. This is critical let children play ball on dirt or grass and out of parking areas. I would like to see the city pass more costs off to the user
rather than the taxpayer at large, if you want a dog park, implement a toll to use dog parks (like a parking meter) and heavily fine the folks who
do not clean up after pets in those areas.
238 This is a huge, huge problem.
Bend is more expensive to live than Portland or Eugene. something needs to change for the locals who love it here and don't want to be forced
239 to move. I've been here 22 years in Bend. I'm a hardworking citizen, I love this town, please help so I'm not forced out.
240 Prices are just too high. Rental prices and house purchase too high.
241 This is not California or beach front property!
Landlords know they can make more money because the rental market is so tight. The should be more interested in doing the right thing than
making money. Take care of the renter that takes care of you. That is an investment in the longevity of your property. My grandparents did this
242 with 2 properties they owned on Point Loma in San Diego. They never over-charged or even charged fair market rental. They charged an
affordable rent and they had renters that stayed for years and took care of my grandparents' investments.
The landlords, property mgmt companies are GREEDY. I went to many garage sales this summer where young families were priced out of their
homes, and they were trying to sell everything they had to gather the money to move. The rich people that want Bend to be a Vacation
243 Destination are going to wonder what happened when there are no workers in town to serve them, as they can't afford to live here. It's going
to blow up in there faces, just you watch.....
244 Rental prices don't need to be so high. Would have less homeless if housing wasn't so expensive.
245 Affordable housing is way more important than Mirror Pond.
246 For those of us that are either single parents , low/mid income, should get a break and have lower property taxes.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Create more affordable housing for working families and decrease benefits provided for those who choose not to! This is a multifaceted
problem: perhaps decrease long term housing subsidies for individuals capable of working, or have people who are not working provide some
247 sort of community service in exchange for the privilege of paying pennies on the dollar. Create neighborhoods of affordable "working family
homes" where unemployed persons cannot stay longer than six months...?
I feel that the market should dictate home prices and that assistance for home buyers/renters or incentives for builders are not the most
appropriate course of action. I am specifically concerned with some of the survey questions that suggest for example that SDS fees could be
248 waived for developers when those are essential contributions to keep Bend's infrastructure up to date and capable of handling demand.
Allowing for increased density and more options such as condos and small cottages will create adequate affordable housing options.
In my experience, subsidized housing allows those who use it to spend the money on nicer cars, better phones, and other "luxury items" rather than save the money to buy a home or invest in their future. I believe a better use of public funds is to provide public transportation,
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increase density, and create incentive programs for people to manage their money more wisely.
I think this is an issue that we need to tackle so that people in the lower income bracket can afford to stay here. Our children in town do not go
without food clothing and shelter!
My main critical issue is that we tend to build large, isolated apartment complexes (i.e., the new projects on Butler Market Road) that are
isolated from the city and neighborhoods versus creating zoning/development codes (incentives) to provide affordable housing options that
251 are intermingled into an existing neighborhood fabric. These locations where there are large, isolated apartment buildings seem nice at first
but eventually they turn into havens for crime, a lack of community and eventually become slums.
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WE do not need to build affordable housing that is an invitation that over extends what we have to offer in jobs within the community. The
idea is to support our needs, not develop to support the building industry employment.
What is the high turnover in house here about?
252 What community employment will support the "aﬀordable" popula,on of 2030?
What will the required codes be for aﬀordable housing and the demand it adds to our environment and our strained infrastructure?
Low rise buildings to keep a community spirit !!!
If rent on properties are to go up there should be a limit on how much it can increase. It is putting a lot of families in bad situation were four
person families are forced to move into small two bedroom apartments or not so nice neighborhoods, where it is hard to raise their children in
253 a safe environment. I know a few families that ended up almost homeless because of the increase in rent that happened this summer. It took
them until fall to find a place they could afford.
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254
Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Make a rule where housing developers have to build 2 affordable units for every "other" unit they develop in Bend.
We just bought our first home and are so happy we did when we did because the prices of homes are continuing to increase and with
255 mortgage insurance and all the other costs associated with moving, remodeling and moving expenses there is no way we would be able to
comfortably afford the homes on the market today.
Co-housing allows families to live in close proximity and to share cost/responsibility/care for common areas like parking, playgrounds and
gardens for their residents. Check out co-housing arrangements in many other cities e.g. Fort Collins and Boulder, CO. The housing units can
be "row houses" that share common walls which reduces cost of building and heating/cooling and upkeep. Or the housing units can be
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cottages set at angles that afford privacy, but need little space, especially when common areas, such as one of the units that is used as
party/gathering/hosting space, where the costs are shared among all the units.
Since I live in Sisters I may not be the best person to comment, however, I am in Bend a lot and feel it is a great place to live. I think there has
been many very fine renovations of older homes near downtown that add much to the community. Many of these are smaller and on smaller
lots which does not take away from their attractiveness. Besides building more homes that would fit this description, I think a concerted effort
to find ways to help landlords fix up homes and property that are deteriorating would help with the problem. Also, clustering affordable
257 homes around neighborhood parks is a great way to attract families with young children who may have a smaller income. In addition, building
affordable apartment or group living complexes for 55 and older that are not assisted living or health care related, would give many who have
"outgrown" their larger homes and are now living on an affordable income, an opportunity for a home that would fit their budget.
It should not be that difficult for us to support and help one another as a community. I've lived here for 25+ years and I would like to see the
same possibilities in housing that I grew up with. Is there something we can do to help current property owners that rent out their spaces? Are
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they paying a lot more fees/taxes than in the past? Bend is growing rapidly and we need this issue resolved!
1. Beware of subsidies to developers to build "aﬀordable" housing that is not aﬀordable. We need the real thing.
2. Any means of creating more affordable housing in Bend, should increase the appeal and livability of Bend for everyone. For example, if we
build apartments and high rises, they should fit the local architecture and scale of the surroundings and add to the beauty of the community;
they should have oﬀ street parking and be close to public transporta,on.
259 3. Any affordable housing should be Net Zero, Net Zero Ready, or Near Net Zero. There are subsidies and tax breaks for developers; and
owners or renters will have a lower cost of ownership or lower cost of housing, because the power bill will be so low, making these homes
more aﬀordable.
4. Planning for live-work sub-communities, walkable communities, and well thought out public transportation is also a key component of being
affordable. Commuting from Redmond or further out by car is not an affordable solution.
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260
Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Most subsidies to affordable housing projects from City of Bend, Deschutes County or State of OR., should be dedicated to projects having a
maximum rental rate set at 50% AMI and up to 80% AMI.
Inclusionary zoning should be part of the affordable housing agenda in Bend.
261 We need affordable housing in all neighborhoods. TRUE rental properties.
Something needs to be done. I have no clue what or how....but the housing market in Bend has gone off the deep end and needs to be brought
back.
262
Housing costs have exploded exponentially with cost of living and the rate of pay employees receive has stayed the same......that is not a good
equa,on for geWng people to move here or even stay here.
I will be honest....in the 2 years that we have lived here we have been looking elsewhere constantly for jobs because the cost of housing is so
high we can barely afford a reasonable place on our salaries. We already moved to Redmond to avoid the high costs....but if it continues this
way we will be forced to leave the Central Oregon area sooner than later.
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264
We have plenty of land, plenty of reasons for businesses to move here... People need to get over their anti-growth viewpoints and realize it's
going to happen. Expansion will lower costs.
We need more housing that people making the median wage and below can afford. We also need better paying jobs.
Develop smart green homes that are less than 1000 sq Y but are designed to func,on like larger homes.
Many examples of this type of housing exist that can be investigated.
Let's get the UGB expanded already. You can only do infill development so much and keep it aesthetically pleasing. Bend is going to continue to
266 experience growth--let's get face it and prepare for it. Make multi-family developments nice and fit in with Bend standards.
265
Bend relies heavily upon a work force to do jobs related to tourism, retail, etc. yet those jobs do not pay living wages - we are on track to
become another Aspen CO where those who work in the community cannot afford to live within it. I am a home owner and a tax payer, and
happy to pay more in taxes to help provide more affordable housing. However, I expect developers who are building 3-5,000 sq. foot and
267
higher homes with million dollar price tags to step up and pay more than they have, even in the simplest ways such as really paying for the
infrastructure costs that impact all residents when they build these luxury homes.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
This is a HUGE issue facing social service agencies. We can't help folks find housing without resources and available housing for them to apply
to. It is the #1 issue facing our agency- more affordable housing in our community would make a huge difference for our clients ability to be
safe and stable. Women who are living on TANF or any other type of assistance cannot afford to live in unsubsidized housing, and the low268 income housing is VERY difficult to come-by. I would say this is a very important issue in our community. I would also like to say that if
transportation were provided between communities, if probably would not help the housing situation as housing is just as difficult to find in
Prineville, Madras and Redmond. This should be a tri-county initiative.
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If people aren't able to find affordable housing they won't be moving to this area. And for our community to grow and thrive we need to have
new people coming here of all income levels.
It's crazy. Investors who own more than one home should have major fees to discourage them from gouging the people who live and work
here.
Property is inadequately used within city limits, developers run the town, and the UGB does not need expanding. Kill off /tax/ restrict some
golf courses, and you'd have plenty of room for everyone to live affordably.
We need to find a way to give the advantage in rentals and purchases to residents who actually want to live in Bend, over investors who want
income property. Bend is turning into a giant over-priced motel.
The background check, credit check and application fee is a bit much when you have to apply to several places and at the end nobody will rent
to you for bad credit which due to economy in recent past affected many people.
Without affordable housing for the workers of a community- the community will suffer. There will be fewer and fewer families invested in safe
guarding and contributing to our community and more and more illegal activity and transient people.
Too many Bend neighborhoods have HOAs which often puts single-family housing out of affordable range, especially considering these HOAs
are usually adjusted up over time. Why can't Bend develop neighborhoods like the old grid: no special features or silly rules that require
HOAs, just nice, simple neighborhoods with City parks and/or school playgrounds nearby & sidewalks with street lights for safety on a regular
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grid? Quit allowing streets that stop short or have the barricade because 'we' don't want our neighborhood to connect with the adjacent
neighborhood - stop segregating.
We should not expand the UGB. Putting special zones in the expanded zone seems especially counterintuitive as then the low income housing
276 is the farthest away from jobs making transportation difficult and more reliant on cars.
277
I'm almost curious if the influx of vacation rentals has decreased the availability of housing in Bend? Has any research been done on this topic?
278 The historic district should view ADU's as an important "fill in" for the Urban Growth Boundary.
Try to get young families involved in the discussions - they are the ones who will benefit the most, not a bunch of retired NIMBY's.
279
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Yes, it is very difficult to recruit talent to Central Oregon when housing is so scarce and hardly affordable. The reality of the situation is that
housing puts stress on individuals and businesses alike. Without a good solution, Bend is certain to maintain an older population
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(comparatively speaking) and businesses will have a difficult time recruiting young talent.
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I receive HUD; however, with my family of five and my income HUDS guidelines say that I need to find housing for under 1200 a month
including all utilities, It's not possible.
With a relatively young population and with the 4 year OSU campus there will be a greater need for housing options that are affordable.
283 It is key issue for the livability of Bend and keeping it's character and integrity.
I moved here because Bend is not sprawling. There is plenty of space within the boundary that could be developed efficiently with urban infill
mixed use projects. By efficiently I mean we can build up utilizing vertical space instead of sprawling into greenfield sites. We can develop
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walkable neighborhoods for low income, elderly, and disabled.
While I support Oregon's Land Use laws, I feel the consideration of many small rural properties a travesty as they are not true farm use and in
addition with their water rights miss the intent of irrigation for farm use. Irrigating juniper and grass for a few horses etc is NOT A FARM. We
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should expand UGB where such non-farm uses are present.
The City of Bend should be focusing growth on the east side of town. Development is already happening in the area out toward Costco.
Excellent views of the mountains with many recreational and commercial amenities there and more coming in. Town has space to expand
there while retaining the quality of life that people move here for. High Rise apartments with commercial space on the fist few levels. Imagine
being on the 6th floor of an apartment in that area with views of the mountains and the desert. (High Rise buildings along 3rd street is a
horrible idea for long term growth if it impedes these potential views of new housing to the east of 3rd.) If the city was smart they would have
also located the new OSU campus out there and planned around that to make it a cultural hub. At any rate perception needs to expand
286 beyond where Bend is hot right now (the Westside). It's saturated without much room for growth. It has a fairly stable tax base existing. The
city if they focus on high end growth on the east side can anchor a substantial increase in tax base there. The city focus on creating more
neighborhoods that are as rich as the historical Westside. Parks, trails, stores, etc. Its a win -win for everyone. I know its complicated and you
will never make everyone happy, but thanks for taking this opinion into consideration. Best, Concerned Bend Citizen
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Aﬀordable housing and greater diversity in Bend are commendable goals.
Increasing the area of the city (UGB), total number of housing units, and popula,on of Bend is not a desirable goal.
Let Bend remain a large town, not morph into a small city.
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Generally high housing prices will help limit the city population. Some percentage should be affordable housing, just as some percentage of the
popula,on is not wealthy.
The city should not work to attract either more rich people or more poor people.
Many non profit agencies have no funds to help with rental assistance the have run out of money because of high need and no rentals
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available.
I have friends and family that have been looking for rooms within homes because the cost of rentals is so prohibitively high. It would be
worthwhile for developers to consider building homes with separate mother-in-law style quarters or multiple master suites. I also think that as
homes continue to be built, eventually as the availability increases, hopefully the rental market will reflect that and prices will become more
reasonable with more competition. Right now I believe there are simply more applicants/renters than available rentals. I also think that more
education on pursuing home ownership would be useful. However, I suspect many families would struggle to meet the basic down payment
289 even if they could afford a mortgage on a home. I find it amazing that parents/grandparents were able to purchase homes on a single income
household whereas now even with two people employed, it sometimes seems an impossible dream. Wages in Oregon are no longer
reasonable for the cost of living. My family has begun to consider alternative locations, although we love our jobs and this community.
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Mixed residential uses including boarding house and community living homes, accessory dwellings and four and fiveplex units mixed with
higher end homes is the most preferable. Bend needs to mix it up and provide adequate shelter for all, instead of a glut of secondary homes
and lodging vacation rooms.
Landlords are getting greedy. Just because you can get $1600 for your rental off Powers, doesn't mean you should be part of the problem and
now charge that much for your rental.
Vacation rentals need to be limited and/or regulated.
An environment that allows young families to live and work in our community is vital to keeping Bend alive. The kind of place that we want to
live and raise our families. We really need to work on developing all areas of the city. Not just stuffing everything on the "trendy" Westside.
This would smooth traffic flows and diversify different areas of the community.
Corporations should be required to pay a living wage with full time employment for at least 65% of the employees whom are now on food
stamps. What they are doing is hurting people and it is OUR right to demand they do their part to help our community, Corporations are
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making more money than any other time through out history while the worker is the poorest ever. END THE PLUTOCRACY.
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295
Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I would like to see developers have to commit to building a percentage of LOW INCOME Housing with in their developments.
I would like to see lower SDC's, especially Parks. If, for example, an affordable home was priced at $170,000, the SDC's and permits are roughly
10% of the cost. That jumps the price to $187,000.
Bend is currently one of the least dense cities in Oregon. Having lived in Texas and California in the past (where sprawl is the name of the
game) I do not want to see that happen here. One of the greatest asset Central Oregon has is its natural beauty and availability of untouched
297 wilderness. Once that is gone it cannot be reclaimed. As such, my feeling is that there is currently adequate space within the existing UGB to
infill or redevelop that will provide both affordable and standard housing for the foreseeable future.
296
I've heard Bend described as "poverty with a view." Housing is more expensive, houses and lot sizes seem smaller to me than where I moved
298 from, Bellingham, WA. I also don't feel like Bend has neighborhoods like where I came from, there's more just clusters of developments which I
find unattractive.
Special needs families ( handicapped ) should be given first priority, then senior citizens, then veterans and single parent. Single , healthy
299 working age people should not get assistance from the state unless it is to go to school.
300 Affordable, safe and effective public transportation is critical for this discussion.
My best friend's father is retired and was on multiple wait lists for low income housing for months while living with them. Not ideal!
301
We own 3 rental units in Bend. The last vacancy was one year ago. I had over 50 applicants for a 1BR unit in the first 6 hrs! Our last Tennant
had allowed her pets to destroy the unit and we had major repairs and replacements to make. We decided to not rent to pet owners anymore
because even with a pet fee the expense we incur due to damage from pets is way higher. It was in the ad on Craig's List as such but about a
third of the applicants were pet owners hoping we would change our minds. The rest were all employed but unable to find places to rent. I do
require a background check, but recommend they get there own and have a copy to give with their application to save $. I can say that was the
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most difficult situation I have had, there were several who actually met our approval and it literally was a random draw in the end. The need
for housing is high for all areas, not just the working poor. But I also struggle with those on assistance due to past experiences of entitlement
and lack of personal responsibility. And why does everyone have to have pets?!?! As renters they limit there op,ons even more.....
Having a program to educate the renting population on renters etiquette could be of value.
Landlords who own older homes should have certain criteria to meet regarding safety and energy efficiency. Another factor when looking for a
rental is weighing how energy efficient the home will be. Many older ranch houses and bungalows, for example, have very poor insulation,
wall heaters not up to code, and other shortcomings that cost the renter more and are potentially unsafe. I worry like crazy about my kids'
303 room at their dad's rental, which was an add-on, and is very cold. There is an antiquated wall heater that could start a fire if a stuffed animal
or blanket sits on it too long. Scary.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
People have to quit listening the local real estate industry. The recession IS NOT over. The rich folks still have lots of money to buy second and
third homes!!! TOOO many working folks have been unemployed for too long and are no longer on the unemployment rolls/list. Stop
inversions. Quit sending our jobs overseas. Raise the minimum wage. Unscrew the national health insurance debacle. Go after the frauds. Give
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employees an incentive, do like SEARS ROEBUCK used to do, Profit sharing. Get the unions out of the Board Room. "Common sense, virginity,
personal responsibility, are vanishing resources in today's society"...... OOOPS, out of space...
There need to be steps taken to not let Bend be filled with empty second homes or overnight vacation rentals where the occupants flit in and
out of our community with no intimate, committed ties to here. The more vacation homes, the less availability for the folks that want to live
305 here as the market goes up - both for prices and rents. Yes, this is a pretty place to vacation, but foremost, it's a great place to live. We need to
let our community be able to afford to live here. Otherwise, our community will essentially be gone and just a sheck.
Make it cost prohibitive to have vacation rentals in Bend city limits. Have financial incentives to convert those homes to single family
dwellings.
I don't know enough about it to have any major opinions, but can say that professional colleagues of mine with children have really struggled
to buy homes here, especially if they are first-time buyers. So I can't even imagine how difficult it must be for people who are working more in
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entry level, service industry types of jobs or who are unemployed, living on disability payments, etc.
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For the sake of everyone (residential, commercial, industrial, recreational), loosen government's grip on the UGB. The greater supply of
308 something, the less it costs! Cheaper land brings more business, more residents, more services, more recreation, more tax base/revenues.
Everyone wins.
It is directly tied to the uncontrolled and rampant expansion of the number of vacation rentals. Current long-term rentals are being sold to
vacation rental investors who are kicking out the current tenants to convert them to short-term rentals. In doing so, not only are we reducing
the available number of long-term rentals, we are increasing the demand for them as well as removing potential single family purchase homes
309 from the market. Often times, it is the service industry employees, students, low-income families, and first time home owners who are
bearing this burden so that non-residents can profit on the tourism market. All of this directly affects available affordable housing.
Create an open environment for communities with large lots to explore how to separate off part of their land without undermining the quality
of the development. For example, Awbrey Butte has large lots that could be partitioned into smaller lots allowing for more housing density per
acre. Infrastructure is already in place. Today's buyers, are as a whole, are not looking for lots of over an acre, they are downsizing. However
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not everyone want a 5200sf lot. Awbrey Butte would also benefit from being able to reconfigure larger homes into duplexes or condos--many
with great views!
311 It is a huge problem and I am very happy to see there are measures being taken to tackle the issue. Best of luck!
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312
Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
We need more higher-paying jobs in Central Oregon. We need to promote clean industries and attract the same to the area.
low income, homeless folks do not have many choices today... Project Connect shows us how many of these folks need assistance. Perhaps
some non-profit/state/local services should also be located nearer the low income homes/apartments/units... also, medical services close by,
313 especially if we increase the urban boundary...The rental properties are almost at 100% occupancy.. Landlords are drastically raising rents due
to lack of supply. Perhaps a rent fixing proposal is in order?
I think by opening up the UGB, more affordable housing will occur throughout town, it all comes down to supply and demand. I think the
314 question about how much a family of four can live of has a lot of varying factors, such as if you have kids in daycare or college.
We moved here over a year ago, and cannot imagine a worse "boom town" as far seeking but not finding more reasonable housing options
in/near Bend for average-wage, full-time or part-time, low-wage citizens. It's discouraging to see and experience the current situation and we
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hope for a better future with more access to affordable housing here in Bend and Central Oregon in general.
316 We have a ton of vacation rentals here yet there is no affordable housing for those who serve the tourist trade.
317 We need more SDCs to fund our failing infrastructure.
Each new housing project should have open space and some affordable housing in it. We need to build communities NOT subdivisions!!
318
Few people seem to understand how vacation rentals are making long term housing much less affordable and desirable in Bend. Residents
face higher rental costs, higher purchase costs and fewer choices due to the growing number and increased popularity of vacation rentals.
Although tourism is important to Bend's economy, we need to prioritize quality of life and affordable housing for long term residents rather
319
than comparatively affluent tourists who can afford to stay at hotels. This is particularly true for renters visiting for only a few nights. Vacation
rental owners are gaining a windfall profit at high cost to the Bend community!
320 Survey wording suggests higher density is a foregone conclusion.
I live in Deschutes County, of acreage but not in the city, however my area is inside the proposed UGB boundary change so these issues may
321
become pertinent to my neighborhood.
42
Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
It should not be up to the local tax payer to fund this issue. The city needs a good mgt plan that addresses this. Study the macro view and
adjust accordingly. Local tax increases are not the way to ﬁx this.
Housing affordability is a vague and nebulous term. My suggestion is to 'define' housing affordability so people can at least have a baseline to
have discussions or else people will constantly be comparing apples to pears to bananas.
People should take more personal accountability to live within their means. Needs vs. wants should be carefully evaluated when discussing
housing affordability for people who need housing assistance. In the cases where assistance is needed, it should be closely monitored to
322
ensure proper qualiﬁca,on.
The reality is that there is not a one size ﬁts all approach. It needs to be a combina,on of solu,ons that are taken into considera,on.
The city should also address the current concerns of neighborhoods. It seems as if the city panders to local developers too much.
Neighborhood concerns are usually ignored (in my personal experience) which then leads to bigger unresolved issues later when these
concerns turn into legitimate issues (vacation rentals as an example where the city did not enforce current regulations). ADU's should be
323 No more vacation rentals....they need to be regulated and taxed
Plain and simple GREED is driving up the cost of living in Bend. There is no excuse for the exorbitant uptick in rent prices being charged in our
area, and it's made all the worse with the low wages being paid. I'm a homeowner and not directly affected, but know plenty of others facing
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dire situations re. cost and availability, and thus do believe this is a CRISIS that our community must resolve, thoughtfully and quickly.
Just because someone wants to live in a certain neighborhood does not mean Society needs to make that happen. If I said I wanted to live on
the west bank of the Deschutes River in downtown Bend and further, I do not want to pay property taxes, it is not society's place to make that
325 happen. If one wants to live in what they consider a nice home (rental or owner occupied), then the individual needs to do what it takes to
make that happen. I worked hard to have what I do and expect others to do the same.
Let the market do its thing. Less government intervention. The market will take care of this situation eventually. If we keep messing with the
market, we are giving people false data to believe they can afford to live in Bend.
I believe that the best cities are those which restrict sprawl and encourage more density within finite boundaries. This makes for easier public
transit options (bus routes don't need to extend as far outside the core), improved community (people in closer proximity to each other tend
327 to communicate/socialize with each other more), improved emergency services (less travel time), and improved utility infrastructure (fewer
extensions of sewer/water/electricity necessary). Keep the UGB where it is and start building UP, not OUT.
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Building smaller houses with shared common areas is a future way of thinking for affordability and as we get older.
43
Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I am currently looking to move out of Bend because I can no longer afford it. I am one less person volunteering for local charities, I am one less
329 person contributing to the music scene in town, I am one less person putting on community events for the people of Bend.
Has the City thought about using Juniper Ridge for affordable housing clusters? Bus service from Juniper Ridge to the business centers around
330 the city and county. Have a design charrette with local architects and developers to brainstorm.
Parking and setback requirements for duplex/triplex/mixed-use development is too stringent making it hard to pencil out for developers such
as myself.
This entire survey is a push poll designed to promote increased density . I disagree that we must do this. Increasing density by all the "choices"
presented will increase density, and also traffic, crime, utilities rates, school overcrowding, etc. But as one who has been here for 40 years,
served on boards, volunteered, donated, attended meetings, written letters, and participated in this community, I don't want to see more
people jammed into an already crowded town. Accuse me of being a NIMBY, but there is only so much Bend to go around. If we are morally
obligated to shoehorn into this community everyone who wants to live here, then we are morally obligated to give up everything that makes
332 this place special.
It is time to face the fact that we must limit development, perhaps even freeze building permits. I have seen Bend promoted, developed,
exploited and now overcrowded. As The Eagles said it so well, "call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye". It may already be too late for Bend,
but I cannot support increased density, as this survey promotes.
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Affordable housing should not be grouped on one side of Bend or the other. It should be scattered throughout. If it requires providing an
program that will help developers and builder to create affordable housing than we should. The problem is the free market shows that if we
can get say 300,000 for a new home than we should go for getting 350,000. That idea makes for a strong economy, but pushes the less
333 affluent out of the market. Making Bend just a town that only the rich can live in and will force young adults to move. Which removes the
ability for the community to grow.
334 It is FOOLISH that on the Westside we have so many vaca,on rentals when there is a rental crisis going on.
Housing development should be to create neighborhoods. This includes complete streets, walkability, safe lighting, public transportation, easy
access to essential services including fresh foods, medical care and community gathering spaces within the neighborhood, opportunities for
335 volunteering in the neighborhood or other means to stay connected to the community. Affordable housing is just one aspect of the greater
issue of creating " Livable Communities " which should be the overarching umbrella for everything we do.
336
There are still a lot of empty, foreclosed houses in Bend. These should be made available to the rental or purchase pool.
44
Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
As a landlord I was shocked to hear property managers talk about how much you can charge based on availability. I charge based on what is
fair based on income. I think landlords should expect to have more tenants if they decide to charge based on market demand. Taking more
than 28% of income is wrong and should be a guide, not just what you can get. Landlords should attempt to live on the percentage they force
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their tenants to live off of. If there is a moral argument, charging too much and then expecting too much in a tenant is wrong. Affordable
housing should start with education of the tenants and landlords. Education is the answer not subsidies.
Housing affordability needs to take into account all income levels. The amount of each type/price of housing should be reflective to the
amount of people in various age and income brackets. Seniors, new retirees, upper income persons/families, middle class families, blue collar
workers, students, singles - and, yes, low income persons should all be considered in the plan. Everyone has the right to "affordable" housing
338 based on their needs and income levels. We need to get more people working, getting more skills/promotions and paying taxes so they can
move ahead economically. Being satisfied with a minimum wage job and minimum wage skills should not be acceptable to any of us.
I would like to see as much affordable housing as possible for students, particularly the new OSU campus, located very close to the new
campus, preferably within walking distance.I would like to see the nearly empty Juniper Ridge development converted to a mixed housing use
are with some businesses also.The City of Bend need to encourage housing aﬀordability in ways other than just growing the UGB, that means
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encouraging more density throughout the City. It also means taking a lead on better mass transit within the City which will alleviate the need
of those with lesser incomes the need to have multiple cars, which are also expensive.
If people really want to live in Bend they need to educate themselves regarding the costs before making the move. They shouldn't expect a
hand out.
I know that Bend is growing and with growth comes both positive and negative. Bend has a decent size service industry. We need a place for
those who work in those type of industries to live. I don't believe that building a bunch of low income or subsidized housing is the answer. That
341 can have negative effects also. I do think that building decent apartment buildings that working people or people on social security can afford
is the right way to go.
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I understand the ADU conditional use permit is not required on the Westside but it is on the east side. The discrepancy doesn't seem fair.
The large second home market negatively impacts Bend's sense of community. Second home owners should contribute financially to the
solution.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I have lived in my house 30 years, near downtown. We need to preserve the old neighborhoods, many double lots were partitioned off which
is sad. ADUs don't work in old neighborhoods, parking issues, permit issues, lack of privacy. One across the street from me was non permitted,
very frustrating to us neighbors with a parade of renters in an RS zone. Increase density in RM zones, mixed use developments so people don't
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have to drive. Parking is a big issue---we have new multi family houses in our neighborhood, each house has two cars, our streets are
overflowing with parked cars---there needs to be better planning.
345 I am glad we are looking at this.
It is a huge issue for good working, honest individuals to try to find affordable housing that fits their family's needs.
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We need to work on life style choices to encourage more responsible individual citizens. Education, training, motivation, principles, ethics,
morals vs. drugs, alcohol, theft, promiscuity, lack of ambition, lack of qualifications, poor quality work standards. People need to understand
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and act as if we all need to contribute more than we consume or society can't function long term.
You did not address the need for having up to date infrastructure before we allow more housing of any type. I believe this needs to be done
348 first so that we are ahead of the curve. We have no need for more people in Bend until we can afford them.
If the houses that are now vacation rentals were rented out for reasonable amounts to people who live here, this would not be such an issue.
There are at least 5 houses in my neighborhood that used to be rentals for young families or college students that are now vacation rentals.
We have 3 or 4 "mother-in-law" houses that have recently been or are currently being built and they are all going to be used for vacation
349 rentals. If we loosen up the density laws even further and allow people to build more structures on their properties, what is to keep them
from making the quick buck with out-of-towners who use our neighborhoods and our town as if they were disposable?
The constant fear of renting from someone who might sell your home is getting pretty frustrating. Knowing that there are so few options is
scary.
There is an extreme housing shortage right now. I think the only way to alleviate this in the short-term is to start regulating vacation rentals,
351
which have taken a lot of good rental homes off the market.
The cost of housing is directly related to the price of land. Few rentals were built when rents were low and land prices were high. Rents have
recently gone up to the point where it makes sense to build more units, but are still lower than other urban areas. Several rental complexes
352 are in the process of construction. Until recently, renting was cheaper than buying. Most of a mortgage payment goes to interest and does
not build up equity, in addition to which, the buyer must pay to maintain the home.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
We have a tourism based economy. Tourism related employment is generally low paid and often times seasonal and/or part-time. People
filling those critical jobs have limited opportunities to purchase a home. They are also limited in how much they can afford to pay each month
for rent. As tourism increases, I believe the number of low-income wage earners will only increase - increasing our overall housing issues.
Tackling this issue will require a multi-pronged approach that may include accessory dwellings, more apartments, cottage homes, density
353 bonuses, SDC reductions or waivers, etc. We have an obligation to help provide housing for those that work here. Forcing our lower income
workers to live in outlying communities is not acceptable. While there may be lower housing costs in other communities, some percentage of
those cost savings will be consumed by higher consumption of fuel, high auto maintenance costs, and higher insurance costs.
One help to fix the amount of affordable housing that doesn't show up on the list is to limit the number of vacation rentals. In close-in west
side neighborhoods, a large percentage of the smaller homes are being used as vacation rentals. The homes are perfect candidates for
354 affordable home rentals, but because they bring more income to the owner as vacation rentals, they're taken out of the long-term rental pool.
Putting a cap on the number of vacation rentals allowed in a neighborhood will free up more affordable housing.
Bend is a resort town and attracts visitors to activities that cost a lot of money to participate in (skiing, golfing, etc..). Housing costs will always
be an issue and one that will likely NOT be solved as so many of the people making purchases are coming from areas of vastly greater incomes local incomes cannot currently compete.
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I believe adding transportation to and from surrounding communities is the best solution to the problem of housing costs in Central Oregon.
The city has grown enough to where you can no longer expect to live near downtown with a near minimum wage job.
Improvements need to be made to the existing affordable housing. You can spot a rental a mile away and it's sickening to find out the rents
people are being forced to pay. Landlords need to step up!
My son lives with 4 people in a 2 bedroom apartment so that they can afford to live here. They are all working full time and that is the best
357 they can afford on their incomes. They all make $10-$12 an hour which is more than minimum wage.
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I would love to purchase a house in Bend. However, I do not see purchasing a house as an option within the town of Bend. I will most likely
rent for the next several years, or purchase a house farther away, such as Redmond.
If I had money to spare, I would either build or buy rental apartments and be willing to house low-income families, as an alternative to the
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Bethlehem Inn.
I have many employees who struggle because rents are too high-- they cant find a house to buy do to the market being too high-- wages are
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already topped out in the many positions. So, something else must change.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Need affordable housing to be able to support teacher and service salaries, influx of the retirees throws the market values out of balance
361 because they tend to have more money and are downsizing but willing to pay for a higher per sq ft price.
We have to stop calling affordable housing to own units. Private non profits need to take this on,most people who need affordable housing
362 should be renters not owners. What about up-keep cost or things breaking in their homes,care of yard etc , they do not have excess funds to
be able to pay for these unforeseen events
363 Do something to address the vacation rental situation. It's having a major impact on actual residents.
Fully 1/2 of my income goes to rent. Meanwhile there is a foreclosure next door (empty for 3 years) and another directly across the street
(empty 6 months). Rent just went up. The city should invest in 1st time home owners and urban renewal downtown (providing grants and
other programs for home-owners to improve old ramshackle neighborhoods) and put a moratorium on vacation rentals in residential areas.
364 This city is turning into a theme park and becoming inaccessible financially for the people who are actually FROM here and who WORK here.
Also, it should be considered criminal to evict long-term renters in order to turn a residential home into a vacation rental.
365 It's really Sad. Decent people, homeless.
I feel the ability for property owners to raise rents just because they can should be controlled and monitored. People who have rented for
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years are getting squeezed out of neighborhoods and Bend in general.
I think it's very important to acknowledge that the working class deserves to stay in Bend. We need people who work in the tourism industry,
build homes, teachers, etc. who don't earn a super high annual income. Most people work for minimum wage or just above and these people
serve great purposes in our community that might be overlooked in daily life. These are the people who have children who need access to
367 good schools, grocery stores and transportation and without being centrally located, daily life and regular errands become very difficult. There
needs to be more affordable housing so quality of life for working parents and single parents, students and handicapped can improve.
The salaries in Bend have not been raised with the price of rentals and homes to purchase. The people in Bend that work here can no longer
368 afford to live here. I have a decent job but the small cost of living raise once a year does not meet the level of increase in the cost of living
here in Bend.
I think there should be a percentage limit to how much landlords can raise rent from year to year. At our last lease renewal our rent was raised
369
28.4%, which in my opinion, is ludicrous!
370 It has almost gotten to be out of control...HELP!!!!
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Are there any local builders who are Benefit corporations (known as B Corps)? Or if not, can we recruit some? A B Corps can develop a business
model that gets the job done but does not have to extract the maximum profit for its owners. In other words, a business with a social purpose.
371 Affordable housing that is built needs to be sturdy and attractive and durable. Sufficient landscaping in neighborhoods is super important to
create community, local pride and a calm environment. Affordable housing should not be a burden for the whole community.
My neighborhood is built out, otherwise I would definitely support multifamily units, smaller lots and row-houses in my neighborhood. As new
parcels are subdivided the city must mandate a healthy mix of living options in every development. I really worry about the idea of "expanding
the UGB to create affordable housing" - I think affordable housing has to be thoroughly mixed into the current development to avoid creating
"slums" where the affordable housing is isolated in pockets. If we had row houses or a small apartment complex built into our neighborhood
(which is not affluent, but just nice) the surrounding home-owners would play a roll in keeping the affordable housing from deteriorating into
slums through a sense of community.
NWX is far too affluent to be considered an "affordable housing" area, but it does show what can be done with careful planning with its mix of
single family large homes, small cottages and row houses all within walking distance to a service center. And I think it can even be done better.
372 My dream for Bend is that every neighborhood is developed with these characteris,cs and available to mul,ple income levels.
I live on the east side where something more akin to sprawl has taken place, and where the UGB is projected to grow. I don't want to see more
sprawl. I don't want to see more uptight Westside neighborhoods that shut out lower income individuals and families. I really don't think the
solution is beefing up the transit system to "bus low-income workers" into town (although public transit does need to improve for other
reasons!) I want to see tighter density, walkable and bikeable neighborhoods with nearby services, and a healthy mix of housing types which
would increase diversity and a sense of community.
373 Do something about the people who only buy Bend homes as vacation rentals or as their second house.
I am happy we bought our house when we did, because there is no way we could afford to buy a house now or afford rent.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Having seen what density does in other cities I would advise Bend to tread carefully. This city is getting ugly. Big homes crammed right next to
each other on tiny lots, much of Bend is starting to look like an ugly suburb. Tiny lot sizes aren't the answer, although smaller more affordable
homes might be.
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I'd avoid against the kind of ghettoization that occurs when you build subsidized housing. We all know that will be outer East Side. Also, most
of the assistance in home buying goes to the very poor, whereas in Bend the group that is being pushed out is the middle class.
In Bend there will be an elementary school, middle school, and high school in close proximity to each other and to the families who attend.
This is happening in the wealthy neighborhood of NW Crossing while the rest of us have to bus our kids all over town, one going one way to
school, the other going another direction. It is poor planning and making for poor livability.
Yes, I feel that the key to solving this issue would be to begin making small, sustainable (possibly Net-Zero) houses (350-950 sq.ft.) with shared
common space, integrating gardens and walkways the rule rather than the exception for affordable housing. I feel strongly that this would add
value and appeal to our community, and theoretically, if done right, this could reduce cost of housing by up to 70% per structure, while
simultaneously providing for a wonderful, healthy, sustainable living experience. There would be no need for large yards and houses as people
376 of limited means certainly should not have lots of toys on hand if they cannot afford to purchase a home. If they do, they could sell those
items in light of the opportunity to purchase a beautiful small home.
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With the influx of OSU personnel and students it is highly likely that the service industry will suffer due to lack of workers and these people will
drive up housing and rental prices.
I think it is crazy that rent is more than a mortgage at this point. I know of several people who don't qualify for a mortgage loan at this time &
with the rental shortage are paying crazy amounts for rent. They are facing loosing the home they are renting due to a pending foreclosure.
They have no idea where they will go when the home goes back to the bank.
With the prospect of a university coming to town, we don't have enough affordable housing for the students. The professors & staff shouldn't
have problems with housing as they make a good wage, but where will the students live? Not in Bend, they will need the outlying
communities, but then they will need to drive from those areas to the college. But the College isn't planning on having parking for those
students? Where are they supposed to park? I guess they can ride their bikes from La Pine & Redmond???
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Affordable housing needs to be integrated into the existing communities and not relegated to the 'undesirable' neighborhoods. All the
affordable housing should not be relegated to the Pilot Butte neighborhood or points further away. Affordable housing should be able to be
found everywhere, so that renters have a choice if they want to live close to work. (Less commuting=less cars on the road=less enforcement,
road repairs, environmental impact, accidents, etc, etc - plus healthier people if they are able to walk or bike to work).
Check out what Park City, UT has in terms of affordable housing, and some city owned housing for employees - it is actually places where
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people would want to live.
Also, developers should not get tax breaks for doing things like this - it should be mandated.
Lastly, second home owners should not be 'lightly' taxed - they should be heavily taxed. Housing should not be a privilege reserved for the
rich, which is what is quickly becoming in Bend.
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I'm happy someone is really looking into this and cares enough to get input and trying new ideas to help the problem rather than just collect
the money and turn a blind eye!
The most recent absurd idea is to let OSU build on an already way congested west side location. That is ludicrous to traffic problems and
driving more prices sky high on the West side.
Talk about a group that could care less about the good for Bend and only have selfish opinions for themselves!!!! I sure hope that gets
Stopped!!!!!!
The bigger the home the more fees should be applied to owners and developers
I don't think it's a moral issue as much as it is a practical one.
Builders need to build more affordable housing. vacation rentals are taking more affordable homes out of the market. affordable housing
needs to be mixed in not stand alone in groups.
We have created a beautiful space for people to visit but only the affluent to live. Building small affordable homes will help increase jobs,
increase housing options, and give people hope. I like the idea of generational homes with multiple master suites. Tiny homes are hip. How
about building those for the low-income and homeless?
Landlords need to start following the laws laid out if they are going to rent their extra homes. There needs to be a Rental Cap on ALL rental
Units, homes, spaces or whatever. They need to base that number off the mortgage only. It is not the renters job to pay the owners mortgage
or property taxes or bills for that maUer. It needs to be fair for booth par,es.
Also there needs to be a Cap on Deposits, Cleaning Fee's, Pet Fee's, Pet Rent (which should be Banned entirely since a pet is not a contributing
385 member of the family that pays bills, rent, or to even works!), and Pet Deposits. There are no Caps in the State of Oregon and the Landlords
are taking total advantage of this. All homes should allow animals. Central Oregon is supposed to be one of the most animal friendly towns in
Oregon, yet almost Every single home refuses pets. Stop making other issues bigger!
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
The rental market is impossible in this town and a small family is having a harder time trying to purchase a home. With the amount of vacation
386 rentals the city is no longer for residents who have a commitment to the town but for vacationers.
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I've lived in Bend for 20 years and the developers have done a great job of "filling in" vacant lands (Old Mill as an example) rather than going
for sprawl. However, much of the affordable housing is not near commercial areas and given Bend's (and all of Central Oregon's) limited
transit system, this is not sustainable. It seems that infrastructure issues, such as transit, could go a long way in helping move people in and
around Bend.
Having a sustainable pool of available land into the future so that planning can occur in a methodical manner.
Expanding the urban growth boundary is critical and our current situation is in part, a direct result of the lack of available land that the
population has had to deal with over the last 5-7 years.
To qualify for a home loan a family can use 45% of their gross income. On the median family income that is a payment of 2233 per month. On
a 30 year fixed, with taxes and insurance this family could afford to buy a home with a purchase price of 395000. Affordable new homes that
are from 1600-2100 square feet are going 275,000-295,000.
Reduce costs & give incen,ves to developers who are building smaller units, second units on exis,ng lots & higher density housing.
Possibly put on a conference for local builders & developers to teach & promote strategies to make higher density, multi-family projects
profitable. For instance have successful multi-family developers/ owners come to Bend & talk about what has worked for them. Our family
built an ADU when we built our home that provides addi,onal income at very liUle ini,al cost, although SDC fees were discouragingly high.
Possibly have City planning staff help potential developers identify properties that are suitable for higher density development. Maybe make
391 the process easier, don't allow neighbors to oppose projects that meet current zoning. For instance I know of a project near downtown that
was proposed to be developed at density allowed by code, but neighbors were able to hold up the process & drive up costs by repeatedly
appealing, and ultimately were successful at stopping development.
The questions at the beginning about what is an affordable rent/ mortgage are unclear. Do you mean what is out there now or what would be
ideal? Industry standard is that rent/ mortgage should be 30% of a person's income.
This isn't on the topic of housing affordability, but I think that giving away gift cards for gas is a poor choice for an organization trying to
393 improve the livability of Bend. Perhaps give away a gift card to a bike shop or grocery store -- not something that encourages driving even
more.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I think workforce housing is an important issue. The 'tragedy of the commons" here is an important consideration. We have a house that we
rent out on the west side of Bend. We have chosen not to make it a vacation rental though we would make much more money on the home
that way. We think it is important to have housing for folks who actually live and work here. But we should not have to do this alone. The City
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of Bend should consider offering incentives for folks like us to keep our rentals as rentals and not vacation rentals or limit the number of
vacation rentals in Bend!
Affordable housing must be looked at on a County-wide basis and not on a city basis. Let market forces prevail. Quit imposing do-gooder views
on the citizens of Bend.
I also own a business and I am on the verge of leaving because its getting harder to find people for work as people moving out of Bend. I am in
the high tech industry and need high people. Bend has allowed all these developers to build big homes, people coming from out of state buying
396 second homes and either putting the rent beyond what the market can hold or vacation rentals. Either way Bend does not get the taxes it
needs, the community of Bend suffers and we loose our town.
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397 Lower Rent. Lower Property values is the only thing that will keep me here.
Assess an affordable housing fee for homeowners that build houses over and above a certain square footage - perhaps it has to be assessed to
the builder who may then pass it on to the owner but these massive homes that are built should have some responsibility for payback so Bend
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doesn't become a town of haves and have nots. Plus it is environmentally irresponsible to build in such excess.
399 I think to retain residents within our community we need affordable housing.
The community would actually strive with more affordable homes and less luxury homes. The "little" guys are important too and our younger
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generation would be taught that it is possible to work hard and survive.
This is a social issue in my opinion. It is impossible for a one income family to survive in Bend. We have lost our family values in the USA.
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Bring the rent down, easy as that. Average working families can not afford to pay $1500/mo for a two bedroom just because it's on the
Westside, or Old Mill District, or now even the Northern parts of town. Families can barely afford the $1200/mo rates in the undesirable areas.
The homes for rent are either too small or not well kept for the prices being asked for them. Property owners should not be asking their
renters to foot the entire mortgage bill for their home. It's unacceptable. Property management companies should be less greedy as well, it's
402 becoming a horrendous downpour of greed in this community and it needs to be stopped!!! Affordable housing doesn't mean trashy people
moving into your neighborhood, it means those hardworking people have a safe and comfortable home for their families as well. You don't like
it? Then move back from where you came from, simple as that!
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The 430 vacation home rentals allowed in Bend many of which have been given "rubber stamped" VR permits have definitely taken away
homes which had traditionally been long term, affordable rentals.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
We need a transportation system for people to get to and from work, go to the doctor, pick their kids up from school. Not everyone has money
for a car and some do not want to drive a car anymore. Portland is the best example for our city to try to mimic as best we can because our
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population is growing and we only have so many streets to move the population around. We need to address it now or regret it later.
405 Smaller lots, infill, ADUs, strict design codes.
We need more land in the UGB to reduce the price pressure due to shortage of supply. We also need to diversify our housing stock to provide
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lots of different types of housing for different needs and incomes.
I don't necessarily want to see new low-income housing apartments, etc. built on the Westside, I just want the housing prices to be more
407 affordable for the average, working class. My husband and I both work full time jobs and just can't afford a house where we would like.
I do not want to see high density or even more housing in Deschutes County. JUST realistic pricing. There ARE homes for rent if you can afford
them and there are tons of foreclosed homes. What about legislation for all these foreclosures? The banks should be seeing that they are
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occupied, even if they are rentals. This is NOT a Bend problem. This is a Deschutes County problem.
While this study has focused on Bend, this has become a problem for all of Central Oregon. The prices in places like Redmond have also gone
409 up. Even when trying to commute to someplace that might have cheaper rent, the gas prices are so high that it's hardly worth the lesser rent.
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I would think that with all the vacant homes in Bend, there would be a way to allow people to rent or purchase these homes rather than let
them sit there and rot. Banks would rather do that, so they keep them.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
Bend is at a pivotal point in terms of its growth and development. Given our rapidly rebounding economy, housing is once again becoming
more expensive and less affordable. I am glad that my own house is appreciating – but I also realize that we are heading in the direction our
housing market was in ten years ago. That was unsustainable.
Many in the development industry are advocating for a large UGB expansion and claim it is the solution for a lack of affordable housing. But
this is a questionable argument. More traditional residential subdivisions with larger houses at the far edge of the city, especially if they are
located far from public services and transportation, will not solve our lack of affordable housing. Without incentives to do otherwise,
developers will build as big and as expensive as possible because that's where the margins are. This will solve no one's aﬀordability problem.
I see the ultimate solution to the affordability crisis being a mix of more housing types (apartments, condos, cottage neighborhoods, ADUs),
411 higher density neighborhoods and infill development – especially in the central city, better financed programs to help those seeking housing,
and a conscientious effort of the community to come together and meet this challenge. If housing advocates, city planners, developers and
builders, architects came together to form a commitment to affordable housing, we could solve this problem. Absent such a commitment, we
will become more like Boulder or Aspen, where working people will be priced out of the community, move to Redmond, Prineville and La Pine,
have long commutes to their work, create traffic, congestion and pollution, and ultimately degrade our great quality of life. Bend will gentrify
becoming a ghetto for the wealthy and privileged...in short not a real community. We can do better...we just need the vision and
collaboration. Thanks to Bend 2030 for helping focus our community on this challenge.
This is Central Oregon where everyone has animals. cats and dogs. these houses and duplex's with huge fenced yards are being wasted
412 because they don't allow pets. Some people actually take care of their animals so they don't destroy a rental home. Take that into
consideration.
Bend has an ever increasing divide between haves and have nots. Between earners of six figure incomes and those making a middle class,
educated, professional salary. Costs of housing is being driven up and land is being wasted on McMansions. People selling their homes in
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higher priced areas are upping the housing market costs in Bend as they purchase and later sell their homes.
Under no circumstances should Bend waive SDCs for new ADUs unless those ADU and their parent house are barred from being converted into
414 vacation rentals. Without this rule, it is appears does not seem a genuine effort to address residential housing for residents.
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Bend is paradise. Everyone deserves to be able to live here if they want. Housing prices are driving out people who have lived here their entire
lives, and that is seriously wrong.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I think the rapid, virtually unregulated conversion of houses into vacation rental homes is negatively affecting the rental housing market in
Bend, in terms of supply and price.
Bend needs to lower their rents in accordance to fair property value. We cannot con,nue to pay full mortgages plus proﬁt.
Bend needs rent control, this should have been done aYer 2008. Our community is completely unprotected.
The wages need to be raised in order for our community to survive. One has to earn enough income so 30% covers their rent. If rent is 1400 for
a basic small 1200-1300 sq Y house, I would have to bring home $4700.
There needs to be strict enforcement re: application fees and not stealing our communities money they need to move on. Property
management companies have been keeping peoples money without screening, this is against the law, yet nothing has ever been done to this
417 day.
Expand the growth away from the west side. Encourage businesses elsewhere so not everything is so condensed in one area. Don't cluster
everything into small dense areas on top of each other, please don't do that. The north and east side needs to be built up like the city did
dumping so much money and their focus into the west side. This will also help greatly to alleviate the clear distinction between sides of town
our community ﬁnds quite distasteful and even arrogant.
The community on cl is calling for a renters group. Our voice needs to be heard and heard until our town is affordable again for the general
community.
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It is just crazy how the rent has raised so dramatically when cost of living wage hasn't I don't understand why these places think that normal
hard working people can afford this. Look at the homeless population go talk to some of these people. They have money in the bank but keep
getting denied to rent. Also what does a persons credit have to do with renting, my credit isn't excellent but it's because I haven't built any so
therefore I have to pay $2,000 deposit for a $750 a month place. Some places are triple the rent for a deposit why? or they have to have a cosigner. Like what the heck we aren't buying a car or house were renting. If we don't pay rent were out and you have the deposit, first and last.
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It's also shocking that someone can charge $1300 a month for rent and still have a 1970's stove and carpet and fridge in the unit if you are not
going to upgrade your place then you should charge the rent for 1970's. You can read craigslist--well that's until property management
companies flag what people have to say.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
It is important to consider the position of landlords and property management companies. They have the right/responsibility to rent these
homes out at the highest rate the market will bear. Demonizing them is mostly unfair and, more importantly, counterproduc,ve.
However, I do think that the city has a responsibility to create policies that encourage affordable housing. Instead of penalizing
homeowners/managers, we should have a tax structure that gives more preference to rentals on the lower and middle parts of the rate
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spectrum. Expanding the urban sprawl has ecological implications, but higher density housing can both increase the volume of rentals and
make mass transit more efficient. We should offer tax benefits for rentals that are occupied and withhold them from owners of rentals that
remain unoccupied over the majority of the year, which would provide an incentive to reduce rates.
It costs our community much more in emergency room visits, policing the homeless population, school transportation to and from homeless
420 camps and gives little hope or ability for improvement in the lives of the less fortunate. People on SSI can not afford a place to live.
The present lack of affordable housing requires creative thinking on the part of all interested/affected parties. Builders should consider
designing homes that have multiple living spaces such as separate entrances, mother-in-law suites, more than one master bedroom with
ensuite bathroom or other ways in which multiple individuals can share a home. Those looking for housing may consider alternatives such as
join home ownership/investment. I do not think we should resort to building high-rise apartment complexes or building homes closer to one
another on smaller lots. Green spaces are important especially given the nature of the Bend community and countless studies that illustrate
the impacts of nature deficit disorder on children and society. I do think things like community gardens, tennis courts and other things that
421 build a sense of community where individuals are required to live in close proximity of one another are important. Affordable housing should
not mean cheap, shoddy construction thrown together with little thought. The thoughtful design of a space can create a certain pride in
ownership/rentership. Builders should also consider things such as passive solar (placement of windows), minimizing shared walls when
building multiplexes, etc. I do think we as a community can work toward creative solutions without adding burdensome/misguided legislation.
422 Infill!
For Bend to truly thrive and get out of its bubble, we must provide affordable housing for the two-income family that is doing all that they can
to work hard and save. Right now, the rental market is sky high and extremely unaffordable. Purchasing a well-maintained home (on the
Westside) is nearly a half million dollars. The pricing for the current construction in Northwest Crossing and the surrounding areas is ludicrous.
423 Simple 3 bed/2 bath homes are selling in the $400's and way up into the high $900's. This creates a bubble that only higher income people
from most likely outside of the area are able to enjoy these neighborhoods. We are looking for a decent home in the $300's and it is truly
impossible to find unless it is a total dump!
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
424 Adds shouldn't be used for student rental housing
Please do something, I know many families who have had to move into homes with other families because of their rent being raised. My
mother, 68, I had move here 2 years ago with my disabled brother so they would be closer and I could help them financially, it took us 6
months to find them an apartment because property management companies were having us bid for rentals. Once she found a 2 bedroom
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apartment, her rent has been raised over $200 in less then a year and her landlord will only let her have a month to month lease so he can
raise it whenever he wants. This is not a sustainable model.
Make Bend enforce a sign ordinance and get rid of highway billboards. This will make more area attractive to live in and open space in the
Third Street area that is now "junked up" with way too many signs.
The 'vacation rental' business has displaced many seniors on low to moderate income. This 'commercial use' in Bend's 'residential'
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communities is destroying Bend's livability.
I think desirability is really important. As Bend considers it's expansion options I hope they seriously consider roads, alternate transportation
methods ( bikes, public transit) and most importantly I think they should consider zoning that would allow for mixed use- residential and
commercial, so that people can walk, bike close by to restaurants , grocery shopping, etc. to create ' niches' so that people can appreciate their
428 neighborhoods. A local ex. Is the west side. It is partly so desirable because people have basic commodities right there. That's partially why
people advertise it as a great place to vacation rental. Think of Portland or larger cities as well, that can create sub-communities that provide
contentment.
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What is the demonstrative data that there is an affordable housing issue outside of overall rental supply and is it reflective of workforce
housing or vulnerable population needs.
430 Where do employers believe their employees can live here?
431 The tax structure that subsidizes efforts like affordable housing needs more revenue streams besides income tax.
As long as the City and community leaders reinforce the stereotypes of the haves and have nots between the west and east sides of Bend, we
will never focus on affordable housing for ALL of Bend. I've lived here for over 20 years and I've never seen such a disparity. We truly are
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becoming a divided city. I believe the decision makers have no clue about what it's like to struggle to find affordable housing.
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Housing affordability is cannot be separated from good transportation options. Affordable living in Bend means that the COMBINATION of
rent/mortgage and getting around (working, shopping, recreation) is affordable.
434 Love the idea of using some parks and rec money. Why be rich in parks with nowhere for some people to live?
435 Winters can be rough here. We need to help people come in from the cold.
433
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I think that some of the questions are a leading misleading. Not every development in town can be shrunk to smaller lots, some of them have
the houses almost touching as it is. Not all the solutions fit each side of town. I think waiting to expand the UGB is an excuse for inaction, there
are places in town where action can happen. And we can't expect the poorest of the community to travel the furthest for work, at jobs that
pay below living wage. We can't expect non-proﬁts to carry the burden.
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The moral obligation is actually an obligation to a healthy community. You have to have housing to have workers, we can't attract business
without it. To often the same people complaining about the lack of good work force are the same people who object to the very things needed
to attract the work force.
437 Thanks for your interest and efforts.
438 Lower the cost of providing affordable housing by exempting some SDCs. Allow ADUs on all lots within the city.
I would hate to see Bend lose the ambiance that is unique to Bend. Discovery Park Lodge and Mountain Laurel Lodge are examples of how
439 affordable housing projects can be safe, secure, and attractive while providing affordable housing within an upscale neighborhood.
Those of us who have lived here for awhile experienced the housing bubble and the ill effects it had and yet the home prices rose to an inflated
440 level again just this year! We need to keep it affordable because the salaries in Bend are not in line with the cost of living in Bend.
Require new residential development to have a % of affordable units - provide incentives such a reduced fees and charges and density bonuses
441 or property tax deferment for X number of years to help the developer amortized the costs.
We have affordable housing in our neighborhood, and those houses always seem to be the ones with problem tenants. People in our single
dwelling homes are also Illegally splitting up their 2 story residences into 2 family dwellings. These too also have caused a negative impact in
our neighborhood. They are the ones with the noise complaints, lack of upkeep, and overall neighborhood problems (e.g. derelict parked cars,
442 cars with little or no maintenance causing huge oil drips/spills in the street, lack of courtesy by dumping yard waste in the open spaces.) If
affordable housing came with restrictions and oversight it wouldn't be an issue, but there is none other than repeatedly having to call the land
lords and city for violations.
We are fortunate to have two homes. We rent our property for about $300 less than we could, because it's not all about the money. I am an
443 A&D counselor who works with a lot of people trying to get back on their feet. Affordable and available housing is at a crisis level for these
client's.
The fact that it is so profitable for vacation rental owners to have part time tenants is closely tied to the lack of available rental housing and
444 way to many of those vacation rental dollars are not even remaining in our community. I don't have the answer but it is frustrating.
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Bend 2030 Housing Affordability Survey - Additional Comments '14
I enjoy the quality of life in Bend. I think there is something to be said for the fact that there are so many "good" neighborhoods. We don't
have the low income housing or the crime that typically comes with those developments. I'm afraid to see things change that direc,on.
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My husband and I do not have college degrees. We make a combined income of $80,000 a year before taxes. We still manage to own a house,
pay our bills and enjoy life in Bend.
There should be some kind of rent cap for the landlords. People are fighting for a place to live.. rent is over 100 per square ft.. an apartment
doesn't work for everyone.
The housing costs are telling my kids who have grown up in Bend that this is not where they can start a life with work/housing balance.