The open house will provide information about the Consolidated Plan, the City’s five-year plan outlining funding priorities for affordable housing and community development programs. It provides community members the opportunity to give input on housing and community development needs and priorities. 

Input from the open house will help prioritize needs and be incorporated into a draft Consolidated Plan that will be discussed at the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meetings in March and April of 2019. The final draft is expected to be recommended to City Council with a public hearing in May of 2019.

Developing a Consolidated Plan is a six-month process. It includes a survey, public engagement opportunities at Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meetings and community open houses. 

Developing a Consolidated Plan is required by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and regulations under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The plan establishes goals and funding parameters for the Community Development Block Grant program over a five-year timeframe.
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Affordable housing was identified as a top concern for Bend residents in a statistically valid community survey conducted this fall. Increasing affordable housing options is a goal of the City Council and will likely continue to be a top priority for Council in the 2019-2021 biennium.