Arapahoe commissioners back participation in regional housing‑needs assessment tied to state law

Arapahoe County staff presented the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ Regional Housing Needs Assessment and asked the Board of County Commissioners to approve participation and use of the assessment to satisfy the county’s obligations under the state law referenced in the presentation.

Staff explained the RHNA was prepared by a consultant (repeatedly referenced as Dr. Cog/Cogg/Coggs in the presentation) and that the county has participated in the regional process; the assessment uses consultant data and differs in methodology and time frames from the county’s consolidated plan and market value analysis. Staff emphasized those differences and said the RHNA will feed into the county’s housing action plan, which will follow in coming years.

Presenters reviewed key findings from the consultant’s dataset (American Community Survey and other sources), including household income distribution, housing cost burden, housing‑type mix, tenure, and 10‑year projected household and job growth. Staff highlighted the RHNA’s estimate of housing need over the coming decades and that the largest need is in lower‑income bands (0–50% AMI). The presentation included projected household growth from about 253,000 households in 2022 to an estimated 325,000 by 2050 and a projected increase in jobs.

Commissioners asked questions about how the RHNA aligns with the county’s consolidated plan and data differences, and staff said the county can provide feedback to the regional consultant and that the state law required a particular timeline that limited how closely consultant outputs could match the county’s HUD consolidated‑plan datasets. Staff said additional listening sessions and public feedback opportunities would be available and that the county will continue to participate and provide input.

Commissioners indicated support to move the RHNA to the consent agenda for public comment and a future business meeting vote. Staff said the county will coordinate with the consultant (named in the presentation and later referenced by staff contacts including Sheila Lynch) to provide suggested changes and additional materials to help local officials use the RHNA for the state requirement.

Ending: Staff will place the RHNA participation item on the consent agenda and continue to provide feedback to the regional consultant so the county’s housing action planning work can incorporate the RHNA and the county’s consolidated‑plan data.