Affordable Neighborhood To Open in Blue River

BLUE RIVER: The McKenzie Community Land Trust (MCLT), will celebrate a major milestone next week with the opening of its first neighborhood of permanently affordable homes. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 at 2 p.m. at 51702 Rose Street in downtown Blue River.

The Rose Street Neighborhood project marks the nonprofit’s first completed development: six firewise, 1,300-square-foot homes designed to remain affordable for generations.

Each of the homes feature three bedrooms and 1.5 baths that are priced between $250,000 and $275,000. Buyers must earn no more than 80 percent of the area median income, with priority given to Holiday Farm Fire survivors and local workers.

Homeowners will purchase the structures but lease the land under a 99-year renewable agreement, that the trust says will ensure long-term affordability. Eligible buyers may also access below-market mortgages and up to $150,000 in down-payment assistance for fire survivors.

The homes and landscaping were built using firewise principles, and the property is enrolled in the Pure Waters Partners program, which supports watershed health.

Construction of the neighborhood was supported by a grant from Oregon Housing and Community Services, a construction loan from Summit Bank, and property-acquisition support from Lane County. Portland-based landscape firm Walker Macy donated firewise landscape design services.

“We are excited to see our Rose Street Neighborhood project come to fruition,” said Lane Tompkins, founding board member and president of MCLT. “We appreciate all who made this possible—from the county and state to our friends and neighbors. This is an exciting day for our community.”

Besides the ribbon cutting, guest speakers will include Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch, DevNW Executive Director Emily Reiman, and Caleb Yant, Deputy Director of Oregon Housing & Community Services.

Attendees are asked to RSVP at McKenzieCLT.org.