Finding Affordable Housing for Colorado's Lower-Income


	Finding Affordable Housing for Colorado's Lower-Income
	The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is reaching millions of people across Colorado. Recovery Act grants, contracts and certain loans could help stimulate more affordable housing developments throughout Colorado in the coming years. Renovations and developments throughout the state create more affordable housing for Colorado families. Grant funds will be used for construction of new multifamily housing units and for rehabilitation of some existing units. Private-public partnerships and public improvement projects, programs and policies are taking place in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Aurora, Centennial and Fort Collins Downtown areas. Emerging private and public development and redevelopment in the Central Business District areas, near downtown neighborhoods are maximizing existing initiatives. Downtown's are also addressing the amenities to increase convenience and quality of life to residences, entertainment, conventions and visitors.

	Research has determined that the greatest barrier to fair housing throughout Colorado is the lack of an adequate supply of affordable housing, especially for households with incomes less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and housing for special needs populations. This includes homeownership opportunities, affordable rental housing and, in particular, housing for special-needs populations. The recommendations to create more low-income affordable housing in Colorado cover a wide range of activities for regulators to prioritize. Many housing authorities prioritize local preferences for elderly, homeless and persons with disabilities for Section 8 housing vouchers. Other priorities include head of household, employment or attending school on a full-time basis. A number of the State Rural Development Councils have closed their doors due to budget shortfalls, and funding cuts. Recent declines in profitability and increased requirements by regulators in the sub-prime mortgage lending markets indicate that many home finance tools once popular among first-time home buyers (former renters) are not as popular as they once were. The result is that many renters who might have moved into homeownership in recent years may be electing to remain as renters for the time being.

	Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
	Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) provides fixed rate financing to homebuyers, small to medium sized businesses, and multifamily rental housing developers. CHFA builds strong communities throughout Colorado through a network of partners such as banks, developers, and local governments. CHFA’s entire organization is focused on helping people and businesses succeed from the positive effects of homeownership and business expansion throughout communities. One success leads to another, as families become financially stable and companies add more jobs. Education, assistance and training is prioritized as a statewide cost effective tool that stabilizes and enriches Colorado's affordable housing community.

	Colorado Rental Housing Search
	Sponsored by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Colorado Housing Search provides information about rental properties. Property owners and managers, including Housing Authorities and private landlords, can use this service to manage their property listings free of charge. Listings can include pictures, maps, and information about nearby amenities. Property owners and housing authorities can register and manage their listings online or via phone and fax. Colorado Housing Search was developed by SocialServe.com, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people access affordable housing and supportive services by developing solutions that utilize leading-edge technology. Listing Affordable Housing, Rental Housing, Section 8 Housing, Accessible Housing and For Sale Housing in Colorado.

	Colorado Recovery & Reinvestment
	In February of 2009, President Obama and the U.S. Congress approved the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help kick-start the nation's economy. The landmark measure includes targeted tax relief and significant investments in such vital areas as education, transportation, healthcare, science and technology and energy-efficiency. Colorado Recovery & Reinvestment website was provided for the citizens of Colorado to access information about the federal stimulus initiative. The Government went to a great deal of effort to help track the use of stimulus funds. Some of those include Housing & Assistance, Energy & Environment, Transportation, Business & Employment, Transportation, Budget Stabilization, Public Safety and Local Government.

	Housing and Urban Development
	HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. HUD awards grants to organizations and groups for a variety of purposes. Working with local nonprofit organizations to invest in their communities through property rehabilitation and resell to first time home buyers and low to moderate income families. HUD programs have helped millions of people from being homeless by supporting local communities initiatives.

	Colorado Volunteers of America
	Volunteers of America Colorado (VOA) Branch offers affordable housing for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families aspiring to own their own home. VOA has an array of affordable housing options to assist in matching applicants with apartment homes. The apartments offer various subsidy programs, meaning the rent paid by the resident is subsidized either through federally funded project based Section 8, or the tax credit program or in partnership with United Way. In addition to housing options, VOA offers programs and support services at their housing facilities. VOA has a strong Service Coordination program which matches residents' needs with services available in the community; computer centers at many apartment buildings, meal programs, transportation programs, social activities and several commodities programs.

	Community Resources & Housing Development
	Community Resources & Housing Development (CRHDC) provides pathways to housing resources and asset-building opportunities. This is done with innovative approaches in providing sustainable and affordable housing, life-skills, and economic development opportunities to benefit low-to-moderate income households throughout Colorado through property development, financing, education, partnership, and technical assistance. Incorporated in 1971 to address the intolerable living conditions and lack of adequate housing in the rural areas of Colorado. The organization was created to research and develop housing opportunities for low-income rural families through the construction of safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.

	Colorado Sprawl Action Center
	The Colorado Sprawl Action Center was formally started in June 1999, as a project to provide citizens with the tools and information they need to advocate for quality development in their communities. Offering pro bono campaign consultations and a library of tools and services including case studies, planning tools, and a variety of sample fact sheets, press releases and other documents to run effective campaigns. Sprawl can take a variety of different forms. Whether it is a massive suburban development that consumes agricultural land and open space or is a number of large lot houses that dot the countryside breaking up migration patterns or eco-systems, both of these types of sprawl have detrimental effects on our quality of life and environment.

	Habitat for Humanity of Colorado
	Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat has built and renovated over 200,000 houses worldwide since 1976. Habitat for Humanity’s work is accomplished at the community level by affiliates — independent, locally run, nonprofit organizations. Each Habitat affiliate coordinates all aspects of home building in its local area — fund raising, building site selection, partner family selection and support, house construction, and mortgage servicing.

	Colorado USDA Rural Development
	USDA Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. Through many programs, USDA helps rural Colorado in many ways. Financial programs support for essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service are a few. USDA promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. Single family and multi-family housing programs provide homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income rural Americans through several loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs in Colorado.

	Colorado Housing Investment Fund
	The Colorado Housing Investment Fund (CHIF) is focused on establishing a statewide housing investment fund with a dedicated source of public revenue to meet Colorado’s affordable housing challenges. CHIF is a permanent state revenue source dedicated to the creation and preservation of high quality, affordably priced rental and homeownership opportunities. The lack of quality affordable housing is a statewide concern. Providing safe, decent, affordable housing is fundamental to the well-being of individuals, families and communities. The housing investment fund allows local communities to determine their priorities and more effectively plan for the housing needs of their residents. Across the nation, 38 states have created housing investment funds that successfully provide grants and loans to support affordable housing development.

	Urban Land Institute Colorado
	ULI Colorado exists to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities. There are nearly 900 local Colorado members representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines. They are developers, builders, property owners, investors, architects, public officials, planners, real estate brokers, attorneys, engineers, financiers, academics and students. District Councils support best practices in land use through Smart Growth programs, networking events and project tours. By offering nonpartisan, unbiased expertise to community leaders, District Councils positively influence such issues as compact development, transportation, urban design and workforce housing.

	Colorado Rural Development Council
	Colorado Rural Development Council (CRDC) was formed in 1993 to address the needs of rural communities in Colorado. Over the years, significant and crucial funding for CRDC projects and products has been provided by grants, awarded on a competitive basis, from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development office. A number of the State Rural Development Councils have closed their doors due to budget shortfalls, and funding cuts. We are in a lean period today, but opportunities to fulfill our mission still arise and give us purpose. Times have been tough before, and probably will be again. The important thing is how we conduct ourselves during the tough times, and during the good times. Our mission is the same, no matter the economic conditions.

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