City moves forward with $20 million affordable housing initiative

In a recent city council meeting, officials discussed a resolution to authorize the interim city manager to submit a grant request to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for the More Housing Now and Land Use Initiative. The initiative aims to enhance affordable and attainable housing development, with a total of $20 million allocated for local municipalities to support infrastructure projects.

Housing Manager Ashley Chambers presented the proposal, highlighting the Salt Flats project, a 21.45-acre site currently under a letter of intent for development. The project is designed to meet the city's commitment to affordable housing, requiring that 70% of the units be affordable for low-income residents, while the remaining 30% can be utilized for attainable housing options.

Chambers emphasized the strategic location of the Salt Flats property, which is centrally situated near employment centers, schools, and transportation lines. The project aims to connect various community areas and enhance the overall infrastructure, including streets, utilities, and multimodal improvements.

The council expressed enthusiasm for the project, recognizing its potential to address the community's housing needs. However, they acknowledged the challenges in meeting the annual commitment of increasing affordable housing units by 3%, as outlined in Proposition 123. Currently, the city has permitted 94 to 96 units, falling short of the target but remaining optimistic about future developments.

Public comments included inquiries about the ownership structure of the proposed housing units, with residents seeking clarity on whether future occupants would own their properties or rent. Doug Simmons, the property owner, expressed excitement about the partnership with the city and the potential for collaborative development.

The council plans to hold a public comment session on the second reading of the resolution on August 21st, allowing community members to voice their opinions on the initiative.