Waitlist Opens for Rose Street Homes

BLUE RIVER: The McKenzie Community Land Trust (MCLT) has opened the waitlist for its first housing development, the Rose Street Neighborhood, with applications accepted through September 30, 2025.

The project, located in downtown Blue River, includes six firewise-compliant homes designed with three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, and roughly 1,300 square feet of living space. Construction is nearing completion, and the homes are expected to be ready for occupancy by late 2025.

MCLT is using the community land trust model to keep housing affordable long term. The nonprofit retains ownership of the land while selling the homes to qualified buyers for an estimated $250,000–$275,000. Buyers sign a 99-year land lease, keeping costs down by removing land value from the purchase price. Fire survivors may also qualify for up to $150,000 in down payment assistance, along with other resources such as below-market-rate mortgages.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must earn less than 80% of Lane County’s area median income, qualify for a mortgage, and plan to live in the neighborhood at least eight months a year. In addition, applicants must meet one or both of these conditions:

Lost a primary residence in the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire.

Currently employed in the McKenzie River Valley, between Leaburg (milepost 19 on Hwy 126) and the Lane County boundary.

How to Apply

Households can join the waitlist by completing a short application at mckenzieclt.org/rose-street-neighborhood. DevNW, a Springfield-based nonprofit, will assist applicants with eligibility verification, mortgage pre-qualification, and homeownership education. A lottery of qualified applicants will be held in October to determine waitlist order.

Community Call to Action

MCLT is urging residents to share the opportunity with friends, family, and former neighbors who may want to return to the McKenzie River Valley. For more details, visit the MCLT website or contact Braden Ravenscraft at braen.ravenscraft@mckenzieclt.org or 541-514-8637.