Housing and shelter is a basic need for every member of our community and it is rapidly becoming unattainable for the average family in Central Oregon. As Bend continues to grow at a blistering pace, LandWatch is working to ensure that this growth fosters healthy communities, limits sprawl and makes housing available for people across the income spectrum.

The Bend City Council is considering taking an important step to diversify the city's housing mix by updating its code to allow for micro-unit developments, small dwelling unit developments (tiny homes), and other development alternatives.

Code Update

The proposed code changes are meant to provide housing that costs less to build. They do not guarantee affordability and should not be seen as a “silver bullet” to solve our housing crisis. Instead, this code would give developers and non-profits like Housing Works and Kor Community Land Trust the option to build more affordable housing for people who need it using this model.

Community members have shared concerns about how Micro-Units might work in practice. The Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA), a City-sanctioned committee made up of representatives from each of the Neighborhood Associations, submitted recommendations to modify the code. The recommendations include prohibiting their use as short-term rentals and only allowing Micro-Units in more dense residential zones. Both of these changes were accepted by the Planning Commission and are reflected in the code the City Council will consider adopting on Wednesday, October 7th.

What are Micro Units?

Micro units are a form of housing not currently allowed in Bend’s code. The proposed code would allow for one room living spaces with a bathroom, food preparation area, and refrigerator. Amenities like kitchens are shared between residents. This efficient use of space makes small units (150 - 400 square feet) viable as an option for housing along the spectrum of all housing needed. This would be the first housing type in the City’s code that is prohibited from being used as a short-term rental (STR). Learn more here.

While it won’t solve our housing crisis, the proposed development code updates will provide more options for housing that makes efficient use of land, which ultimately allows us to protect the landscapes we love while making housing available for people across the income spectrum.

LandWatch will be supporting these code amendments and we invite you to encourage the Bend City Councilors to allow for micro-unit developments.

Advocacy Corner

Support proposed code changes to allow flexibility for housing types that make more efficient use of land and legalize housing options that could better serve people across the income spectrum: send an email now or call in to give public comment.

Bend City Council Meeting
Wednesday, October 7 - 7pm
Click here to join Zoom meeting

Once you join the meeting, enter your first and last name, email, and click the "raise hand" option to provide public comment. Comments can be given in the order calls are received. The hearing is agenda item 8.

Bend Code Update Could Provide More Flexibility for Housing