Oregon Senate Passes Rent Control Bill

Oregon is facing a housing crisis and lawmakers are scrambling to try and find solutions. One bill that could help was approved by the Oregon State Senate on Tuesday. The bill enhances protections for tenants and prohibits landlords from implementing high rent increases. SB 608 is now heading to the Oregon State House where it is also expected to pass. If passed it would be the country’s first state-wide rent control measure.

Central Oregon Daily’s Anyssa Bohanan has more on how the bill could affect tenants and landlords across the state.

Proposed Bill Could Bar Zoning for Single Family Homes

Today in Salem the House Committee on Human Services and Housing held its first hearing on HB-2001. The bill would allow for what is called “middle housing” on land currently zoned for single family homes. Middle housing is those housing types that fall between single family housing and large scale apartment complexes.
 
Central Oregon Daily’s Curtis Vogel has more on the bill and what communities it could affect.

Supper Club: Redmond Mayor Discusses Plans for Redmond

After ten years as mayor of Redmond, George Endicott is getting ready to start another term after winning the general election in November. For this week’s Supper Club, Central Oregon Daily’s Curtis Vogel sat down with Endicott to talk about his priorities for the next two years.

A special thanks to our Supper Club sponsor, Selco Community Credit Union, for giving us the time and resources to talk about the issues that impact our region with a new edition of Supper Club every Tuesday night on Central Oregon Daily.

Election 2018: Oregonians Vote Down Most State Ballot Measures

Oregonians had no problem voting no during this year’s midterm election. All but one of the ballot measures on this month’s ballot failed.

The only measure that passed, Measure 102, gives local governments more flexibility when it comes to funding affordable housing projects.

Other than that Oregonians said no to…

  • Measure 103, which would’ve changed the state constitution to ban any tax on groceries despite there being no push for such a tax;
  • Measure 104, which would’ve changed the requirements for any bills that would raise state revenue;
  • Measure 105, which would’ve repealed Oregon’s long-standing sanctuary state status;
  • and Measure 106, which would’ve banned public funds for abortion.

Prineville School Becomes Affordable Housing

The City of Prineville found a creative way to save a historic building and provide much needed housing for low-income residents. Ochoco Elementary School, built in 1947, has been retrofitted into affordable apartments.
Central Oregon Daily’s Allison Roecker has more on the story.

Affordable Housing Projects Break Ground

The communities of La Pine and Sisters are about to get two new housing options. 
Central Oregon Daily’s Austin Reed was at both of the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new townhomes on Tuesday and has the details on who will be eligible to rent them.

Property Management will take applications for the properties about two to three months before completion which is expected to be next Spring in 2019.

Supper Club: Looking Ahead at 2018 – Part 2

This week’s Supper Club conversation is part two of looking at things to come in 2018. Donna sat down with three prominent Central Oregon citizens and discussed OSU-Cascades funding, PERS reform and affordable housing options.

Thanks to Mike Ficher, play-by-play announcer at COTV Sports, Dino Vendetti of Seven Peaks Ventures and Erin Foote Morgan, former Bend 2030 Executive Director, for joining us.

A special thanks to our Supper Club sponsors, Selco Community Credit Union, for giving us the time and resources to talk about the issues that impact our region every Tuesday night on Central Oregon Daily.

Supper Club: Bend’s State of the City

Bend Mayor Casey Roats gave his State of the City address Tuesday night at the What’s Brewing event hosted by the Bend Chamber, but he and two other city officials, Jon Skidmore and Russell Grayson, gave us a sneak preview of the event. They sat down with our News Director Curtis Vogel for this week’s Supper Club to talk about the proposed city budget and what the city’s role should be in making sure there is enough affordable housing for its residents.

Supper Club is sponsored by Selco Community Credit Union and Pine Tavern Restaurant.

City and County Officials Deal with Growth in Central Oregon

It’s estimated that seven people a day are moving to Deschutes County, and it’s getting harder for county and city officials to keep up. Dealing with that growth was the focus of a joint meeting between Deschutes County commissioners and Bend City Councilors on Tuesday.

Central Oregon Daily’s Kelly Bleyer was at the meeting and joins us with details.