(Ribbon Cutting | Photo by Tess Freeman)
Kôr Community Land Trust held a ribbon cutting event in celebration of its first net-zero, affordable homeownership development, Kôrazón, on Tuesday, July 13.
“It’s an honor to be here. At Kôr, we say it takes a village to build a village, and it really does,” says Jackie Keogh, executive director of Kôr Community Land Trust. “These units are net-zero. We believe the residents of these units should have access to sustainable technology like everyone else. Income should not dictate sustainability.”
“This has been a process, as it should be. It’s a gift,” says Adele Castleberry, a new owner of one of the units in the development located at 21221 Hurita Place in Bend. “There have been so many organizations and people involved to get me to this point. And they have not stayed in their cubicles. The City of Bend has even underwritten some of this.”
Located in the Larkspur neighborhood off SE 27th Street, the two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,100-square-foot homes are designed to meet net-zero energy standards, meaning that the units are built with the goal of producing as much energy as they are projected to use based on household size. The homes feature solar panels, an energy-efficient building envelope, lighting and mechanicals, 50-year metal siding, upgraded fixtures and hard-surface flooring. Kôrazón was designed by Shelter Studio and developed by Kôr Community Land Trust in partnership with Housing Works. Funding was made possible by the City of Bend, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Washington Federal Bank and a number of local donors. Kôrazón is the first homeownership project in the state to close using Oregon Housing and Community Services’ Local Innovative Fast Track funds.
“If you work in Bend, you should be able to live in Bend,” said Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang during the ribbon cutting event. “Taking the cost of land out of the equation, like Kôr has done with this project, makes homeownership within reach. I want to recognize Kôr for their commitment to sustainability and making incredibly efficient use of land.”
The development is a mixed-income community designed to serve Bend’s workforce, including two extremely low-income households earning between 30-50 percent Area Median Income (AMI), two very low-income households earning between 50-80 percent AMI and one middle-income household earning between 80-120 percent AMI. The units will be permanently affordable through the Community Land Trust model, serving the community’s affordable housing needs for generations.
“I’m super excited about this project. What is so unique and awesome is that these are affordable, workforce homes,” said City Councilor Melanie Kebler. “The goal of the City Council is to make homes affordable. The City needs to continue to play our role. The gift of land is one way, along with waiving fees and providing funding.”
The ribbon-cutting event included brief remarks by representatives of the Oregon Housing and Community Services, the City of Bend and Kôr. “The quality is outstanding. I am so humbled by this,” said Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair. “It breaks the cycle of not being able to afford rent and utilities. What Deschutes County can do to help this program is really important.”
Amy Warren, land and development director and co-founder of Kôr Community Land Trust, concluded the event with a tour of one of the new homes. “Pretty much everything in here had some kind of support behind it, whether directly or in-kind,” she said. “We want these units to be homes people want in their back yard, made from long-lasting products so they will stay looking nice for years to come.”
