This week, Governor Tina Kotek hosted the second workshop of the Building Resilient and Affordable New Developments in the West (BRAND West) initiative in Bend, Oregon – one of the fastest-growing cities in the West. “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.” In particular, she highlighted the efforts of local government leaders and community partners in Bend 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. As part of the workshop, regional housing experts also participated in panel discussions about low-income housing initiatives, pathways to homeownership, modular housing, aligning land use planning with environmental considerations, as well as planning and development challenges in rural communities. View photos and watch recordings from all of the workshop sessions on WGA’s website. | 
