Affordable Housing

Background: Access to affordable, quality housing in safe neighborhoods with community services is essential for all Oregonians. Like other cities in Oregon, the City of Sisters is responsible for helping to ensure that its residents have access to a variety of housing types that meet the housing needs of households and residents of all incomes, ages and specific needs. 

City Programs: The City supports affordable housing through a variety of means, most notably with its Affordable Housing Grant Fund Program and Urban Renewal Agency Workforce Housing Grant Fund Program, both of which provide funds for eligible applicants who construct housing units that comply with the program requirements.  For more information, click on the links or contact the staff member below.  

Trinity Place Affordable Housing Project: The City is partnering with Northwest Housing Alternatives to construct Trinity Place - a 40 unit rental apartment (with one, two and three bedroom units) adjacent to the Wellhouse Church in Sisters that will target those households making 50-80% of the area median income (* exact income ranges subject to change).   The City plans to contribute $500,000 in ARPA funds to the assist the project.  Construction is anticipated to start in spring of 2025 with leasing in 2026.  For more information, contact Clayton Crowhurst, NHA Housing Developer at crowhurst@nwhousing.org.

Other Housing Efforts: Non-profits, such as Sisters Habitat for Humanity and Housing Works, have constructed long term, income restricted housing in Sisters.  Private development has also contributed income restricted, long term affordable housing in the community.  For example, Hayden Homes constructed one affordable unit for every ten market rate homes in the McKenzie Meadows development as part of a city requirement during annexation.  Clear Pine Subdivision had a requirement for seven units. More about First Story, their affordable housing wing, can be found below. 

In addition, the City has a Housing Plan that includes strategies the city could employ to encourage more affordable housing.  Several of the recommendations have already been implemented, including increasing the allowed density in the Multi-Family Residential Zone, adding a density bonus for providing affordable housing, adding middle housing unit options (duplex, triplex and four-plex), and decreasing the minimum lot size for a single family. 

Questions: Please contact Scott Woodford, Community Development Director, with any questions at 541-323-5211 or at swoodford@ci.sisters.or.us.