During a recent government meeting, representatives from Habitat for Humanity and the Bethlehem Inn provided updates on their ongoing projects and community impact in Bend, Oregon.

Scott Nordquist, Vice President of Resource Development at Bend Redmond Habitat for Humanity, reported significant progress in affordable housing initiatives over the past year. The organization successfully sold 13 homes and currently has 10 homes under construction, along with one home repair project and 27 additional homes in various stages of predevelopment. Notably, the Logan Avenue project, which utilized affordable housing fee funds, enabled a Latino family of five to transition from a cramped two-bedroom apartment to a three-bedroom home, highlighting the program's impact on local families.

Nordquist emphasized the importance of community outreach and partnerships, particularly with organizations like the Latino Community Association, to prepare underrepresented groups for homeownership. He noted that 8 out of 12 households in their recent townhome project were single-parent families, with a significant representation of nonwhite households, reflecting the organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Following Habitat for Humanity's presentation, Kim Fishbach and Annie De La Rosa from the Bethlehem Inn shared insights into their case management program, which provided shelter to 1,184 individuals in the past fiscal year. They reported that 34% of single adults and over 60% of families in their programs successfully transitioned to stable housing, thanks to tailored support and resources. The organization tracks residents' progress through a self-sufficiency matrix, revealing that 54% of single adults and 77% of families improved their self-sufficiency during their stay.

The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts of local organizations to address housing challenges and support vulnerable populations in Bend, showcasing the positive outcomes of their initiatives and the ongoing need for community engagement and funding.