Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DCHP presents DRCOG housing‑needs findings: Castle Pines shown with a 10‑year need of about 452 units
Summary
The Douglas County Housing Partnership presented regional DRCOG findings showing a significant shortfall across the Denver metro area and placed Castle Pines’ 10‑year need at roughly 452 units; DCHP urged regional collaboration, described Proposition 123 funding and noted SB 24‑174 deadlines for local needs assessments and action plans.
At a study session on April 24, 2025, the Douglas County Housing Partnership (DCHP) presented findings from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) housing needs assessment and discussed local implications for Castle Pines and the DCHP subregion.
Maria (speaker S6), identified in the meeting as the executive director of DCHP, told commissioners DRCOG’s regional analysis projects more than 500,000 housing units are needed across the Denver metro area between 2023 and 2050. DCHP summarized that the Southeast subregion accounts for roughly 71,400 of that 10‑year need and that Castle Pines’ 10‑year need was shown in the materials as about 452 units.
Maria framed the need as concentrated at the lower income ranges (0–50% AMI and workforce levels around 30–80% AMI) while noting that more than half the projected 10‑year need is for renters. She explained key local priorities for DCHP: preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, provide rental housing and down‑payment assistance, and partner with private developers to produce workforce and middle‑income units.
Funding and next steps: DCHP reported the countywide intergovernmental Proposition 123 award totaling more than $9 million to support planning, down‑payment assistance and debt financing for low‑income housing developers. The DCHP collective three‑year production commitment was described as 1,018 units, with 330 units already permitted toward that goal, and the partnership said it expects a pipeline of projects, including potential developments in Castle Pines.
State requirements: Maria summarized Senate Bill 24‑174 (the Sustainable Affordable Housing Act) and its timing: DRCOG’s assessment can be used for local compliance; local governments must publish or participate in a needs assessment by 12/31/2026 and complete action plans by 01/01/2028. She said DOLA (the Department of Local Affairs) will be the implementing/regulatory agency for those requirements.
Displacement and vouchers: DCHP reviewed a DRCOG displacement analysis for Castle Pines and reported low displacement risk locally; Maria also said the state announced it is not expanding the voucher program, limiting additional Section 8‑style assistance.
Commissioners asked about condominium construction‑defect laws, displacement definitions, how AMI is used in the analysis, and occupancy of recent DCHP projects. Maria said condo defects are a recognized constraint to creating starter homes and that DCHP continues to pursue varied housing types. She described completed and pipeline projects (Unity on Park, Oakwood Senior properties, Red Rock acquisition) as having strong occupancy rates.
Quotes: “DRCOG found a huge need across the Denver Metro Region of over 500,000 units between 2023 and 2050,” Maria said. “We want to be efficient and not each spend tens of thousands of dollars to do separate needs assessments,” she said, urging regional participation to meet SB 24‑174 requirements.
Next steps: DCHP will continue engagement with DRCOG and member jurisdictions, pursue Proposition 123 pipeline projects, and seek additional targeted data on older‑adult needs; the commission was told DCHP may recommend joint participation in DRCOG’s assessment to satisfy state deadlines.
