Pitkin County commissioners approve housing, food‑security and operational items; set follow-up on Entrance to Aspen

Pitkin County commissioners took a series of votes on May 14 that advanced housing, food security and operational programs and approved several contract and lease items while tabling further action on the Entrance to Aspen resolution.

Key outcomes - Good Deeds housing program: The board approved a $1,000,000 grant to the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition to expand permanently deed‑restricted homeownership opportunities for working local households. April Long, executive director, told commissioners the program conservatively converts market homes into permanently affordable units by contributing about 30 percent of a purchase price in exchange for a deed restriction. The coalition reported the previous local contribution helped preserve nine homes; the new $1,000,000 commitment was approved by the BOCC.

- Harvest for Hunger lease (first reading): The board approved on first reading an ordinance to lease 391 square feet at the Michael W. Schultz Health and Human Services building to Harvest for Hunger as an in‑kind donation valued at roughly $13,000 per year; the organization operates an 8‑hour‑a‑day, five‑day pantry model and will continue a stigma‑free, no‑sign‑in…