(Photo courtesy of COIC)
Thanks to a unique community partnership with Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC), the Multi-Agency Coordinating (MAC) group, City of Bend, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s office, Fortify Holdings, and R&H Construction, previously unhoused residents will soon move into a new supportive rehousing project in southeast Bend.
The Old Mill Apartments — as the project is now known — is a high-quality motel conversion with 76 units, each with its own private bathroom, kitchenette, and living space. The building also features shared laundry facilities, mailroom, and a leasing office. Each unit will be leased at a fair-market rate determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Central Oregon’s newest supportive rehousing project received original funding from Governor Kotek’s executive orders to address the state’s housing and homelessness crisis, as well as from HB 5019. Old Mill Apartments will target unsheltered homeless populations, with regionally determined priority placement for those who are medically vulnerable, LGBTQ+ youth, and the BIPOC community. As project participants, all tenants will be connected to and offered supportive services. There will be on-site security to ensure tenants’ and neighborhood safety, and background checks will be required of tenants prior to move-in.
“Old Mill Apartments offers much-needed housing for our most vulnerable populations,” says Tammy Baney, executive director of COIC. “The MAC and our Central Oregon regional partners are incredibly grateful for the funding provided by Governor Kotek’s office and the state legislature. We now have 76 more housing units in our community. More individuals can quickly exit homelessness, return to stable housing, and access case managers and social services.”
Fortify Holdings developed the project and R&H Construction served as the general contractor. Through a regional system of coordinated entry, approved tenants will begin to move into Old Mill Apartments the first week of October.
“Fortify is proud to collaborate in public-private partnerships like the one that has made the Old Mill Apartments possible,” says Ziad Elsahili, president of Fortify Holdings. “We specialize in rehabilitating properties like the Old Mill Inn and Suites. Across the state, we’ve successfully transformed existing community assets into accessible, safe, high-quality housing for those who need it most.”
