Routt County commissioners discussed June 30 the launch of a South Routt housing initiative after the county-funded Housing Innovation Manager for the South Routt area began work this week.

Why it matters: County officials said the initiative aims to create a local housing authority to coordinate affordable housing across Yampa, Oak Creek and unincorporated South Routt — a structural change that could affect funding, planning and local housing supply.

County staff reported that the new South Routt Housing Innovation Manager, Drew Blanchard, will be based in Oak Creek and lead efforts to stand up a South Routt Housing Authority. The group forming initially will act as an oversight committee that will draft bylaws and governance documents; commissioners said the county pledged $30,000 in seed funding to the effort.

The oversight committee requested two Routt County representatives; one commissioner said she would serve and asked the board to consider a second county representative, which could be a staff member or a community volunteer. Commissioners discussed whether to run an open call for volunteers or to appoint a county staff person to the committee.

The committee’s early tasks will include drafting bylaws, establishing an employer for the innovation manager and defining a pathway to a formal housing authority board. County staff said the planning-related tasks and potential future funding requests would require coordination with county budgeting and planning staff.

What was not decided: No board appointment was finalized on June 30. Commissioners directed staff to work offline to identify a county representative and to return with recommendations.

Next steps: County staff will share the oversight committee documents, contact information for Drew Blanchard and the proposed bylaws once they are drafted. Commissioners asked staff to consider an open call if a suitable county staff representative is not identified.

Speakers in the discussion included the commissioner who volunteered to serve, County Manager Jay and planning staff who will coordinate with Yampa Valley Housing Authority and local towns.