The ribbon cutting has been CANCELED for January 19 at 12 PM.

Please join Rooted Homes, in partnership with the Bend Chamber, in celebrating the completion of the new Poplar Community!

The ceremony will take place in a heated tent and begin with home tours from 12:00PM to 12:15PM, followed by speaker comments from 12:15PM to 12:45PM, including a special note from Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and photo-op will be at 12:45PM. RSVP recommended to Jackie Keogh at jackie@rootedhomes.org

Qualified, first-time homebuyers were encouraged to apply for the homeownership opportunity in this workforce housing pilot project. Employees of the employer partners received two preference points in the public lottery selection process.

The purpose of the pilot is to demonstrate that employers can support a path to homeownership for their employees. As part of the proof-of-concept, the Bend Chamber is sponsoring four of the seven new homes in the 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 homebuyers can afford.

The Poplar Community project includes seven 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes designed to net-zero energy standards for households earning equal to or less than 80% of Area Median Income. These homes, designed by Ten Over Studio and constructed by Solaire Homebuilders, are located on Rooted Homes’ land and retain 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.

Rooted Home’s Mission

Provide environmentally sustainable and permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for those who contribute to the fabric of the Central Oregon economy and community.

Bend Chamber’s Mission

Create an environment where businesses, their employees and our community excel together through collaboration, advocacy, resources and leadership to meet Bend’s business challenges.