Mosaic Announces Partnership with RootedHomes Workforce Housing Initiative

Bend, Oregon, May 7, 2024 – Mosaic Community Health, a nonprofit community health center providing quality care for all in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras and Sisters, announces a partnership with RootedHomes to provide preference for Mosaic employees in an upcoming housing lottery for the Rooted at Simpson community. Located at 19755 Simpson Ave. in Bend, the community will include 40 single-family homes of two- and three-bedroom homes designed to net-zero energy standards. Currently under construction, homes are expected to sell through the first half of 2025 with home prices starting at $240,000.

“We have amazing employees committed to Mosaic’s mission who are struggling to afford living in Central Oregon,” said Jennifer Stewart, Mosaic’s director of human resources. “We have been searching for a community partner to support affordable home ownership for our employees in need. We are very pleased to partner with RootedHomes and look forward to working with them to educate our employees about the program and facilitate the application process.”

Mosaic employees who qualify based on income will receive coaching from RootedHomes staff on the pre-approval process with lender partners and assistance with the housing lottery application process. The lottery for the Rooted at Simpson community in Bend is expected to open in July of this year.

“Mosaic was looking for housing solutions for their employees, and we are happy to help,” said Jackie Keogh, executive director of RootedHomes. “They see the need to retain and hire people who want to serve the Central Oregon community but can’t afford to live here. Our program helps keep our community thriving.”

RootedHomes helps community members with good jobs but whose income is not enough to purchase a home. The Rooted at Simpson community is the organization’s second workforce housing initiative, and more plans are in the works for other communities across the region.

Other interested local employers who meet qualifications can apply to provide preference to their employees in future housing lotteries. Since its pilot, RootedHomes has also partnered with Sisters School District, St. Charles Health System and St. Regency Pacific to house their employees in Rooted Homes communities. The Bend Chamber of Commerce supported the pilot workforce housing program.

“Retaining talent is getting harder in Bend due to the cost of housing,” said Katy Brooks, CEO of the Bend Chamber. “We know that people stay at their jobs and in their communities longer when they have a pathway to home ownership, and this development can help employers create that opportunity and retain their employees.”

For more information on the RootedHomes workforce housing program visit: rootedhomes.org/homebuyers/workforce-housing-program.