Pueblo Housing Authority outlines redevelopment progress, vouchers and new units

Representatives of the Pueblo Housing Authority told the Pueblo City Council on Sept. 22 that the agency continues redevelopment work on the South Side and broader efforts to provide housing supports, vouchers and resident services to thousands of Pueblo residents.

The presentation by Executive Director Steve Trujillo and Commission Chair Phyllis Sanchez summarized the authority’s existing inventory, programs and the status of the Crawford Townhomes project, and described outreach and training efforts as the agency prepares a fourth redevelopment phase in 2026.

Trujillo said the agency operates public housing and managed properties and administers vouchers: “First and foremost, in 1951, our agency started as a public housing entity. So still today, we have over 729 public housing units,” he said, adding the authority “have the ability to offer 1,645 vouchers to our community.”

He reviewed recent performance and investments. Staff completed “over 9,100 work orders” in a recent 12‑month period; the agency reported it served “over 5,024 residents” across programs; and staff logged about 5,600 hours of training. Trujillo said the first three phases of South Side redevelopment have generated roughly a $75,000,000 investment in the local economy through construction and subcontracting.

The council heard details on the Crawford Townhomes development. Trujillo said Crawford contains 49 units composed of eight 1‑bedroom, 27 2‑bedroom, 12 3‑bedroom and two 4‑bedroom units. He reported Uplands had 72 units and Mountain View had 51 units and said the planned fourth phase would add 48 units. “As we look to round out the development on this particular property, the last fourth phase will go where you see some of our existing units now in in place,” he said.

Trujillo described the Crawford property as “project based rental assistance” that completed a one‑year stabilization period, a required milestone for financing and operations. He said the agency continues to work with HUD’s Denver field office on required approvals and with local partners including the Boys and Girls Club and Pueblo South Side Child Daycare Center, which operate nearby facilities.

Commission Chair Phyllis Sanchez described the commission’s recent certification training and her background in senior housing. Sanchez said the authority pursues partnerships and advocacy and noted the agency’s work with the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NARO). Trujillo said the Colorado NARO chapter deployed a lobbyist to represent housing authorities at the state level and that Pueblo hosted the state NARO conference in 2025 and will host again May 11–13, 2026.

Council members asked about the economic impact of the fourth phase, landlord outreach for Section 8 participation and whether federal or state policy changes could affect local operations. Trujillo said staff will perform market and economic studies in early 2026 and that procurement and HUD approvals are prerequisites to demolition and construction. On landlord outreach, he said the authority’s Section 8 program engages roughly 450 landlords in Pueblo and that landlord interest has “ebb[ed] and flow[ed]” over time.

The authority also described homeownership pathways that have existed previously in Pueblo. Trujillo and other staff noted the Oakshire project included an option for long‑term tenants to purchase homes after meeting program requirements; roughly half of the original 50 Oakshire homes were later sold back to residents, he said.

Council members thanked the presenters and toured aspects of the work in remarks following the presentation. Trujillo said he will follow up with council on the economic analysis for the final phase and with additional materials the council requested.

The council did not take formal votes on housing items during the session; the presentation served as an informational update and a basis for future work and budget discussions.

The authority’s presenters and several staff who attended the meeting urged continued collaboration with the city, state agencies, and nonprofit partners to support housing stabilization, vouchers, and future development phases.