PROGRAM
About Our Affordable Homeownership Program
Thistle & Nest was created to help Oregon’s local workforce achieve stable housing and build equity through homeownership. Using the land trust model, we retain ownership of the land beneath the home while selling the dwelling itself to households like yours. You lease the land for a modest monthly fee, included in the affordability calculation, and benefit from long-term stability and the ability to build equity.
When it’s time to sell, our shared equity resale formula allows the home to remain affordable for future buyers while you receive a portion of the equity to support your next step. This model creates lasting affordability and empowers homeowners to build wealth, securing a brighter future for the community.
Thistle and Nest’s Services
Purchase opportunities
We acquire land, partner with local developers who are building affordable housing, and assist qualified households in purchasing these homes. We connect buyers with the services they need to make the dream of homeownership a reality.
Pre-purchase support
The heart of our affordable homeownership program includes assisting buyer-ready households in navigating lending and purchasing through homebuyer education, down payment, and closing cost assistance options. Eligible homebuyers can receive financial support, including down payment assistance, to overcome barriers to homeownership.
Post-purchase stewardship
We are the landlord of the land that each home sits on, and we hold an interest in the community of homes in which the buyer lives. We are a resource after occupancy and will assist in the placement of a home for a new buyer at resale.
Key Features of Our Housing Initiative
Attainable Pricing
Thistle & Nest collaborates with Oregon Housing and Community Services, local governments, landowners, developers, and realtors to bring affordable homes to Central Oregon. Through these partnerships, we’re able to offer homes at effective prices that are reduced and attainable, making homeownership accessible to a broader range of income levels and helping more households achieve their dreams of owning a home.
Geographically Diverse Communities
We’re building vibrant, thriving communities in Bend, Madras, and Prineville, creating homeownership opportunities for hundreds of households. With exciting plans for expansion outside of Central Oregon, we’re actively acquiring land to bring affordable housing solutions to even more people in the coming years.
Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Homes
We design our homes for energy efficiency, helping lower utility costs and minimize environmental impact. Built with durable, low-maintenance materials, they provide lasting value and long-term comfort for homeowners, ensuring a sustainable and affordable future.
Comprehensive Homebuyer Support
Thistle & Nest is dedicated to setting homebuyers up for success with guidance and essential educational resources. We bridge the gap between buyers and lenders, partnering with NeighborImpact to ensure households have access to the educational support they need throughout their homeownership journey.
Financial Assistance
Eligible homebuyers can access down payment assistance to help remove barriers, reduce the effective price of market-quality homes, and make homeownership achievable.
Beautifully Designed Homes
We’re reimaging what affordable housing looks like. Our homes are thoughtfully designed to blend functionality with style, offering modern, beautiful spaces that homebuyers will love. From open floor plans to energy-efficient features, each home is crafted with attention to detail, ensuring comfort, sustainability, and lasting appeal.
“If you purchase a home through Thistle & Nest’s program, it can be your long-term residence, or it can be a step toward traditional ownership–it is your choice. Our program will never ask you to sell your home because your household is no longer ‘low-income.’ In fact, it is our hope that having a stable home will allow for financial growth!
I believe that historically, purchasing a home was a major commitment, a milestone similar to marriage. In this age, where household members can have full-time employment and still fall short of the income needed to purchase a home, our program can serve as a bridge—a transitional step between rental housing and a traditional purchase where you own both your land and your home.
Instead of paying someone else every month (renting), with Thistle & Nest’s program, you are paying yourself every month. Putting funds towards your mortgage every month, along with the fixed rate of return through our program, you can view your Thistle & Nest home like a savings account. In 7-10 years, you will have equity that can be used towards the purchase of a home with land if you so choose.”
