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Steamboat Springs school board hears staff‑housing plan after survey finds many employees heavily rent‑burdened
Summary
Superintendent Celine Wicks presented staff survey results showing high rent burdens and outlined a proposed 21‑unit rental project with 20 garages; the board asked for detailed pricing and a work plan before a contract is finalized.
Superintendent Celine Wicks briefed the Steamboat Springs School Board on Nov. 3 on a staff‑affordable housing effort intended to retain and recruit district employees, presenting survey results and a preliminary development plan. Wicks said close to 70% of staff respondents indicated they would be interested in renting if units were affordable.
"Forty point four percent who responded spend 40 to 49% of their take‑home pay on rent," Wicks said, adding that 28.8% reported spending 50% or more. She described a proposed 21‑unit configuration developed with Bridal Homes that would include two 3‑bed/2.5‑bath units, one 4‑bed/3‑bath unit, two 2‑bed/1‑bath units, eight ~1,000‑square‑foot two‑bed units and eight ~1,200‑square‑foot three‑bed units, and said the plan could include 20 garages at the same price point.
Wicks said staff provided preferences on unit features; a garage or storage was the top feature, and 73.1% indicated units must be pet friendly. She described next steps as finalizing a formal contract with Bridal Homes, submitting a grant application (referred to in the meeting as an STR grant application) and creating a construction schedule; she told the board that updated pricing based on a 20–21 unit scenario should be available by midweek.
Board members pressed for clarity on target rents and whether the project would meet teachers' pay levels. Kevin asked whether the 21‑unit scenario still aimed to keep rents near "about a third of the average teacher salary." Stephanie (staff) responded that pricing and required rental income to service debt could affect target rents for both certified and classified staff and that staff were still awaiting updated cost figures.
Leah thanked staff for compiling the numbers and asked for the written summary to be circulated to board members. Wicks said the project team planned to meet with the homeowners association and hold a community meeting as part of the outreach process.
The board did not take formal action on the project at the meeting; Wicks said the district is preparing contractual documents and grant materials and will return with cost estimates and a schedule for further consideration.
