HOME Committee - 5/14/2026 - 1:30 PM

The City of Bend Oregon's HOME Committee convened on May 14, 2026, to discuss housing-related policies and programs with a focus on system development charge (SDC) exemptions, long-term lease incentives, and community land trusts (CLTs). Key procurement-related discussions included the evaluation and potential modification of the SDC exemption program, which currently offers exemptions up to 80% area median income (AMI), with consideration to expand exemptions up to 120% AMI conditioned on deed restrictions. The committee reviewed the financial impacts of SDC exemptions, noting an average of $1.5 million in exemptions annually, and discussed balancing infrastructure funding with housing affordability. Presentations included a detailed overview of the "Lease to Locals" program by Placemate, which incentivizes property owners to rent to local workforce through one-time payments, and the role of CLTs in providing permanently affordable homeownership. The committee also explored various funding mechanisms such as tax increment financing (TIF) districts, low-interest loans, and down payment assistance programs to support housing affordability. Members deliberated on policy design considerations, including tiered exemptions, rental versus ownership distinctions, and the scalability of programs for infill and multifamily housing. The meeting concluded with plans for a prioritization exercise to rank housing programs and revenue generation strategies, with follow-up discussions scheduled for June and July. No formal votes were recorded during this session, but action items include further data collection and refinement of program recommendations for council consideration.