November 11, 2009

It's a one a kind program in Central Oregon aimed at getting low income families into "green" homes. This is the  first home, off Reed Market and 15th Street in Bend priced at 185-thousand dollars.

The key is to make the home affordable to buy, but also to live in. It's 16-thousand square feet featuring many green features that are said to lower months bills by 30%.

Construction is underway putting nearly 150 people back to work.

"We are not asking guys to donate their time to work on this house, they are getting paid and so essentially that dollar that they make from working on the house in Reed point will circulate 7 to 8 times into the community," said Andy High with Building Partners.

Building Partners teamed up with the City of Bend and Neighbor Impact to make this happen. Using funds from the City's affordable housing fee collected through building permits they were able to buy the lot and pay for construction permits.

The home includes energy star appliances, oak certified flooring and a solar hot water heater.

"Features that we put in the house they'll pay off within 3 to 5 years which at that point you'll be making money if you want to look at it that way, but ultimately your utility bills will be less for the lifespan of the house," said Jay Campbell with Woodhill Homes.

For those who qualify as low income, a family of 4 with a yearly income of 58-thousand dollars or less, Neighbor Impact offers down payment assistance up to 30-thousand dollars. Along with energy incentives and tax credits.

"If you figure a $30,000 down payment, plus a $10,000energy credit plus an $8,000 tax credit you've written off close to $50,000 off the cost of the house. It becomes very, very affordable for a lot of families in Central Oregon," said Corky Senecal.