Regional housing study finds Elbert County shows a housing surplus; plan awaits DOLA signoff

County commissioners were briefed on a regional housing needs assessment that the county participated in as part of a multi-county region. Lindsay, the consultant on the call, said the assessment has been completed and is now under review by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). "The regional housing needs assessment has been completed and is currently in review by DOA," Lindsay told the board, adding that DOLA's approval is the final check that will allow the region to access additional funding for housing research and development.

The report—prepared at the ECOG regional level—identifies a need across the region for senior housing and transitional housing to serve temporary workers, while noting that Elbert County "shows a housing surplus" on page 36 of the report and that the county’s imbalance may warrant attention to transportation planning and employer recruitment to localize the workforce.

A commissioner explained Elbert County declined to participate fully because the county had recently completed its own housing needs assessment; the commissioner also serves on the ECOG board that participated in creating the regional assessment and said the county was included because it is part of the region. The board was told the assessment was funded through DOLA and local funders, including participation from local banks and the Prairie Development Corporation; the county itself would not be required to provide funding to be included.

Next steps: DOLA review and final approval. If DOLA signs off, the region becomes eligible to pursue additional housing funds that could support senior housing, transitional housing and other development identified in the assessment. The board did not take action on the report beyond receiving the presentation and asking staff to continue coordinating with DOLA and the ECOG region.