As the Northwest continues to face a critical shortage of affordable homeownership opportunities, First Story is inviting eligible families in Deschutes County to apply for a newly built home in Bend and a newly refurbished Fresh Start home in Sisters. The first eligible households to apply will be selected for this life-changing opportunity in 2026.
First Story, an Oregon-based 501(c)3, offers affordable homeownership opportunitiesthrough an innovative zero-down, zero percent, 30-year mortgage on homes throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho in collaboration with its founder, Hayden Homes and Simplicity by Hayden Homes. To date, this partnership has opened pathways for affordable homeownership–and changed generational outcomes–for 128 families.
“Homeownership transforms lives,” said Steve Klingman, president of Hayden Homes. “Our company exists to Give As You Go™ so together we build a strong community and lead fulfilled lives. We believe in helping hard-working families in small towns create stability and we founded First Story in 1998 to ensure that families of all backgrounds and income levels have access to the prosperity that homeownership brings.”
The two opportunities available in 2026 represent both types of homes offered by First Story and must be applied for separately. First Story homes come move-in ready with appliances, a washer and dryer, full fencing and landscaping:
First Story’s 2026 home in Bend will be built in collaboration with Hayden Homes, industry partners, local businesses and individual donors who will all come together to donate project management, construction, in-kind materials and gifts to help complete the affordable home, which will be ready in fall 2026. Located in the First Place neighborhood, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home will feature the Hayden Homes Clearwater design.
The Fresh Start home in Sisters is already complete and situated in the McKenzie Meadows community. It is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom triplex featuring the Hayden Homes Bachelor floor plan. This Fresh Start Home speaks to the heart of the nonprofit’s mission: preserving long-term affordable homeownership opportunities and creating generational wealth for families across the Northwest.
Fresh Start homes are originally built new by Hayden Homes and provided to one or more previous First Story families. As those families move forward and upward, the homes are sold back to First Story to be fully refurbished and provided to a new family. This special program ensures this critical housing opportunity stays in the community for years to come.
“Solving the housing crisis will take collaboration from us all and we are grateful for the leaders, partners and communities who continue to step up to make dreams come true for families across the Northwest,” said Claire Duncan, executive director of First Story. “Together, we’re opening the door to homeownership for hard-working families ready to change their lives forever.”
First Story is now encouraging eligible families to visit www.firststory.org to learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for the homes, including completion of homeownership education prior to making an application. Contact NeighborImpact to complete the homeowner education.
The selected family for each home will take part in heartfelt events surrounded byfamily, friends, and community partners–coming together to celebrate this life-changing milestone. A Wall Raising for the Bend home will take place in the spring and Home Dedications for both homes will occur in the fall.
Visit www.firststory.org to learn more about becoming a First Story homeowner in 2026!
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
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