Central Oregon—High-quality, affordable and accessible childcare has a significant impact on the economic growth and competitiveness of our companies and country. Currently, two-thirds of children ages 5 and under live in homes where both parents work, yet the number of affordable childcare spots has decreased. In Oregon, there are three children for every one childcare spot in the state. This lack of available care has a significant negative impact on the state’s workforce. In responseRead More >

Central Oregon—Nearly half of Central Oregonians are housing cost burdened: they spend more than 30% of their income on housing expenses. This financial vulnerability puts households at greater risk for bankruptcy or foreclosure. A grant recently awarded to NeighborImpact by Meyer Memorial Trust will help support housing retention for low-income homeowners by providing post-purchase counseling and foreclosure prevention services to Central Oregon residents. NeighborImpact’s HomeSouce program will provide financial coaching or counseling, working with homeownersRead More >

Central Oregon—NeighborImpact’s board of directors has elected its 2022 officers. There are currently 15 members on the NeighborImpact Board of Directors. Board members must be residents of Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson counties or the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The NeighborImpact board draws its membership from three segments: elected officials, community members and economically disadvantaged residents. Chad Carpenter of La Pine will continue as board president. Brent Wilkins of Bend will continue as vice president andRead More >

Central Oregon—Distribution of federal rental assistance was a key the topic in the Oregon Legislature’s special session on Monday, December 13. In the end legislators voted to commit another $100 million in additional rental assistance and another $100 million to assist renters facing eviction. Legislators were critical of the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department and its director for what they saw as failure to distribute resources timely, even though Oregon currently ranks fourth among theRead More >

Central Oregon- Nonprofit organization NeighborImpact has opened a new regional office location in the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Located at the Family Resource Center building, this office is dedicated to helping community members apply for services including energy assistance, rental assistance, home weatherization, representative payee and financial capability programs. While Warm Springs residents have had these programs available for many years, this new office location will improve awareness and accessibility for local clients. ItRead More >

Central Oregon— For the eighth year in a row, Oregon Business has awarded NeighborImpact with a 100 Best Nonprofit to Work For title. The title of 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For is awarded annually to qualifying nonprofit organizations that are ranked based on employee satisfaction and importance of 31 workplace qualities in six categories including work environment; management and communications; mission and goals; career development and learning; benefits and compensation; and sustainable practices. ThisRead More >

Central Oregon—Thanks to funding from Roundhouse Foundation and matched by Central Oregon Health Council, NeighborImpact is expanding its Mobile Food Pantry program to reach more food-insecure households across the region. NeighborImpact’s Food Bank collects and distributes nearly four million pounds of food to 52 local emergency food sites in Central Oregon, feeding more than 30,000 individuals every month. Still, accessing fresh, healthy food can be difficult for economically struggling individuals who live in remote partsRead More >

Central Oregon—NeighborImpact’s Mortgage Assistance program is making mortgage payments for Bend residents. Applicants do not need to be behind on their mortgage payments to qualify, as the program may pay up to three months moving forward (or $2,500—whichever is less). To be eligible for the program, individuals must: Be a homeowner Live within Bend City limits Have an annual income at or below 80 percent area median income (see below) Payments will be made directlyRead More >

Central Oregon—Nonprofit NeighborImpact has distributed $6.5 million of Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) funds to Central Oregon households in less than four months. These dollars, provided by Oregon Housing and Community Services, pay rent, rent arrears, future rent and certain home utility costs for households that have been financially impacted by COVID. The total funds distributed by NeighborImpact to date represent just over 60 percent of the total $10.6 million allocated for distribution inRead More >