HOME Committee - 7/9/2026 3:00AM

The City of Bend, Oregon HOME Committee convened on July 9, 2026, to review and approve recommendations related to affordable housing programs and funding mechanisms. The meeting included a presentation of a memo summarizing prior discussions and public comments, followed by committee deliberations and a vote to approve the recommendations for submission to the City Council. Key procurement-related topics included support for bond and rate buy-down programs, credit enhancements, property tax exemptions, and the potential use of System Development Charge (SDC) exemptions to incentivize affordable housing development. The committee discussed the importance of targeting affordable housing units at or below 60-80% Area Median Income (AMI) and considered the implications of funding scenarios, including the possibility of the affordable housing bond not passing. The committee approved the memo with an amendment allowing staff to make minor adjustments reflecting nuances discussed, particularly regarding SDCs. Next steps involve presenting the recommendations to City Council in August 2026, developing a detailed work plan for program implementation, and potentially reconvening the committee for further guidance.