Governor Tina Kotek kicked off the BRAND West initiative workshop in Bend, Oregon, by emphasizing the state’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis with innovative, collaborative solutions.
She highlighted the efforts of local government leaders and community partners in Bend, a rapidly growing region, as a model for proactive housing strategies that effectively balance growth with sustainability.
She also touted the success of legislative measures like middle housing initiatives and urban growth expansions, while calling for streamlined federal funding processes and increased investment in affordable housing infrastructure.
“We don't have enough housing,” Governor Kotek said. “That affects our economy, it affects our health, it affects who we are as a state, but I know that we can get more housing built… We believe in a future where people will have the housing they need, and Oregon is on a great path. I think in the next year or two we’re going to see all the work we've done over the last nine years really bloom.”
Following her opening remarks, Governor Kotek delved deeper into the need for middle housing by moderating a panel discussion with local housing experts and touring several new housing developments in the area.
Day two of the workshop featured discussions on low-income housing; pathways to home ownership; modular housing; resilient housing; and planning and development challenges in rural communities.
Watch recordings from any of the workshop's sessions by clicking the titles below (some videos may still be uploading) or visiting WGA's YouTube channel.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek
This panel addressed the growing need for "missing middle" housing – affordable, workforce-oriented housing types such as duplexes, townhomes, and small multi-family units that serve middle-income earners, including essential workers and professionals. These individuals often fall between subsidized and market-rate housing, leaving them with limited options. The discussion will highlight effective strategies and best practices for developing these units, with a focus on zoning reforms, state efforts, and collaborative public-private solutions to expand housing access.
Russell Grayson, Chief Operations Officer & Assistant City Manager, City of Bend
This panel analyzed how to address persistent affordable, low-income housing shortages. The discussion will center on ways to enhance federal housing program efficiency and foster better coordination across all levels of government and the private sector to maximize impact. Panelists will identify actionable solutions to strengthen low-income housing initiatives.
Planning and Development Challenges in Rural Communities
Rural communities face distinct housing challenges, including barriers to developing infrastructure, limited financing, high levels of substandard housing, and a lack of capacity. This discussion focused on innovative partnerships, housing preservation and rehabilitation efforts, and strategies to align housing development with local workforce needs to foster thriving economies and build stronger rural communities.
Homeownership is a cornerstone of financial stability and generational wealth in the United States, but it is increasingly out of reach for many Americans. During this panel, speakers discussed proposals to strengthen pathways to homeownership.
This panel explored the role of modular housing in efforts to bolster housing supply. As a cost-effective alternative to traditional construction, modular housing has the potential to help increase supply and improve affordability. However, the supply chain, restrictive regulations, public perception, and other factors have hindered its adoption. This panel considered how innovative modular housing solutions can be scaled to meet housing demand while contributing to broader housing and community development goals.
As extreme weather and natural disasters become more common, resilient building techniques can help mitigate risks to housing infrastructure and foster more sustainable communities. This panel analyzed policies and investments to align land use planning with environmental considerations, promote adaptive housing development, and explore the effects on housing affordability.
