“Our intent with this housing lottery is to support the local workforce and families who otherwise would be locked out of homeownership and the family stability it brings,” Jackie Keogh, Kôr Community Land Trust Executive Director, said in a statement. “Kôr Community Land Trust’s full application will thus give preference to employees of qualifying employer partners, first-generation homebuyers, and clients of Housing Works. This low-barrier application will also accept homebuyers with individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to ensure everyone in our community has a chance to become a first-time homeowner,” she continued.

The Poplar Community project includes seven three-bedroom, two-bath homes designed to net-zero energy standards for households earning equal to or less than 80% of Area Median Income. These homes are estimated to be completed by winter 2024, and are located on Kôr land that retains a deed restriction that ensures each subsequent home resale will preference employees of qualified employer partners, extending this benefit to the Bend workforce in perpetuity.

The Bend Chamber of Commerce sponsors four of the seven new homes in Kôr Community Land Trust’s new Poplar development, thanks to financial support from Providence Health Plan and specific Bend Chamber members. The sponsorship helps support the difference between the cost to build these homes and what income-qualified home buyers can afford.

The public housing lottery is open until 5:00 p.m., May 18, 2023. Selected homebuyers will be notified by 5:00 p.m. on May 25. Interested homebuyers with questions can contact Kôr’s Homeownership Program Manager Tess Freeman.