School board approves property‑tax exemptions for two local affordable housing projects

The Bend‑LaPine School District 1 Board of Directors on Oct. 14 approved requests for 20‑year income‑qualified property tax exemptions for two new affordable housing developments — Cascade Landing and Verde Pines — after presentations from district finance staff and multiple public commenters who said the projects would supply housing for working families and school staff.

Board approval followed public testimony from project partners and advocates and a fiscal overview from district Chief Financial Officer Dan Emerson explaining how Oregon’s school funding formula diffuses the immediate local tax impact statewide.

The projects matter because each team asked the board to waive local property tax revenue for up to 20 years to make the developments financially viable. Supporters said the projects would add long‑term, rent‑restricted housing aimed at households at or below 60% of area median income — people such as teachers, parks technicians and other local workers —…