Redmond, OR – June 25, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Tom Kemper, an attorney and former real estate developer inPortland, recently was appointed executive director of Housing Works, the housing authority for Central Oregon. Kemper replaces Cyndy Cook, who served in that position for 30 years until her retirement in May.
Housing Works, the largest affordable housing provider in Central Oregon, is a public agency whose mission is fostering dignity through housing. It provides people with quality, safe and affordable homes and, through a number of collaborations, provides resources to help people stabilize their lives and become economically self-sufficient. Housing Works is headquartered at 405 SE 6th St. in Redmond.
Prior to his Housing Works appointment, Kemper worked with the agency for 13 years while running his own company, KemperCo, a real estate development, consulting and investment company formed in 2000 inPortland. He helped Housing Works develop or acquire nearly 700 award-winning properties for low-income residents inBend,Redmondand Prineville. Throughout his career, Kemper has been involved in the development or acquisition of over 10,000 housing units.
“We open the door to affordable housing opportunities for those who have been locked out of the market – usually young families and often with parents working two jobs in retail, service or resort industries,” said Kemper. “We also provide support services that help people become responsible tenants and homeowners.”
Housing Works obtains public funding from federal, state and local governments and leverages these funds with private capital from local financial institutions and foundations to provide quality housing that meets communities’ needs.
Housing Works developments in Bend, Redmond and Sisters have won numerous awards for innovation, economic impact, design, beautification, and historic preservation and enhancement. For more information on how Housing Works can help people, visit www.housing-works.org.
