After a rapidly accelerated construction timeline intended to meet a Jan. 10 deadline set by Governor Tina Kotek, Oasis Village, Hayden Homes and Simplicity by Hayden Homes reports that the Oasis Village transitional housing village will open this week to 20 previously houseless Central Oregonians.
Oasis Village has been a highly effective public-private partnership developed in support of the governor’s visionary approach to housing production. The project received nearly $1 million from the governor’s office for Multi-Agency Coordinating groups administered by Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council.
“It will take all of us working together, through strong public-private partnerships, to see progress for our unhoused neighbors,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “Oasis Village is a great example of addressing the crisis to help folks achieve housing stability.”
On Jan. 10, residents moving into Oasis Village will bring their belongings to an individual 100-square-foot heated “bedroom shelter” complete with bed, closet, desk, and storage shelving. The village features a central community building with showers, bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, internet access and mail service. A pet area, community garden and RV/trailer storage area round out the small neighborhood located near the Redmond Airport. Project leaders hope to expand to 34 bedroom shelters within the year.
“This move-in marked an important step in each person’s journey to build a better life for themselves, but it is also a symbolic day for Redmond and indeed for all of Oregon,” said Eleanor Bessonette, executive director of Oasis Village. “Oasis Village is only possible because an incredible number of partners came together to say, ‘We care. We’re here for each other. We can do this by working hand-in-hand together.”
Diverse government, nonprofit and private business partners came together to make the project succeed, including the City of Redmond, Deschutes County Commissioners, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, H.A. McCoy Engineering and Survey, Rotary Club of Redmond, as well as Jericho Road. Individual donors have also stepped up with contributions of more than $65,000 to help cover costs.
Hayden Homes and Simplicity by Hayden Homes played a critical role in moving the project over the finish line through advocacy for Oasis Village, community outreach, and project management expertise gained from building successful transitional housing projects including Veterans Village and St. Vincent’s Place in Bend.
Hayden Homes also leveraged its partnerships with Heart of Oregon Corps and Redmond High School CTE educators and students to build the bedroom shelters. Students worked hard over the past months to ensure the sleeping units were built on-schedule, all while learning key construction and job skills. These training programs help to reduce the construction workforce shortage in Oregon, which is exacerbating the housing crisis.
“Together we are building a strong community through public-private partnerships like Oasis Village,” said Deb Flagan, vice president of community engagement with Hayden Homes. “The partners on this project worked in tandem with a unified goal to transform this vacant property into a village in eight months. We are thrilled to welcome these new residents home to Oasis Village and into a safe and warm place for the winter.”
