One of our biggest obstacles as a community is the lack of affordable housing. Public agencies and private companies struggle to attract and retain employees, even well-compensated employees because it costs so much to live here.

Living in Deschutes County is not cheap, and it’s a big problem for people in almost every income bracket. I support regional control of land use decisions so that private developers can provide more and better housing at a better price. We badly need to reform state land use laws to make it easier for Deschutes County to grow without pricing working families and seniors on a limited income out of our communities.

I support working with agencies such as HousingWorks, and Habitat for Humanity to create additional affordable housing.

Most importantly, I support reducing the tax burden on local residents – including residents on a fixed income – so that government doesn’t directly add to their burden.

I pledge to preserve our high quality of life for generations to come, to advocate for land use that allows starter homes and middle income housing, while maintaining our rural Central Oregon lifestyle. I pledge to oppose new fees that unnecessarily raise the cost of home building and to make sure our building and planning departments are responsive to customers.

Managing Growth

Commission invests $7.8 million to support affordable housing development

December 17, 2021 (Deschutes County)

“ARPA funds have provided Deschutes County with an important opportunity to invest in our community and support workforce housing,” said Commissioner Tony DeBone.

The Deschutes County Commission has approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments of $7.8 million to support affordable housing in Deschutes County. The ARPA investments approved by the Board will fund housing projects in Bend, La Pine, Redmond and Sisters.

Allocations included support for:

Bend – $3 million investment

  • $2 million for Habitat for Humanity – Bend/Redmond for the development of 20 townhomes.

  • $1 million for the Hayden Homes Affordable Housing Project, which is projected to include a mix of 347 rental and for-sale units.

Kor Community Land Trust – $500,000 investment

  • $500,000 for the development of up to 10 affordable housing units across Deschutes County.

La Pine / Sunriver – $1 Million

  • $900,000 for Habitat for Humanity – La Pine/Sunriver to support the development of 20 duplexes and triplexes.

  • $100,000 for Habitat for Humanity – La Pine/Sunriver to support repairs in 200 units.

Redmond – $2 Million

  • $2 million for Housing Works for the redevelopment and expansion of Spencer Court in Redmond to preserve and provide 60 units of multifamily housing.

  • $32,000 to assist in the development of a master plan for a homeless services campus on the east side of Redmond.

Sisters – $1.3 Million

  • $800,000 for Habitat for Humanity – Sisters to support the development of 10 single-family units in the Woodlands project.

  • $500,000 was reserved to support the expansion of affordable workforce housing in Sisters in combination with additional funds provided by the City.

Deschutes County Commissioners, City Council Members Pledge Support for Homeless Veterans

Land, funding committed to house Central Oregon’s most vulnerable heroes.

November 5, 2020 (MyCentralOregon.com)– Following the early lead of Deschutes County
commissioners Patty Adair, Phil Henderson and Tony DeBone, who have committed
both land and ongoing funding to the Central Oregon Veterans Village, a majority of the
Bend City Council agreed to continue moving forward toward a resolution to fund
housing and services for those experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon.

https://www.mycentraloregon.com/2020/11/06/deschutes-county-commissioners-city-council-members-pledge-support-for-homeless-veterans/