Affordable Housing
DESIRED OUTCOMES & RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

LAND USE & SUPPLY
Desired outcome
Public land use policy and processes need to increase the supply of available and suitable land, increase the density of living spaces and decrease housing costs in order to preserve and promote affordable housing (both ownership and rental) in Routt County.
Possible interest groups/stewards
Governmental agencies; organizations such as Yampa Valley Housing Authority; housing advocacy groups; concerned interest groups; for-profit and non-profit entities; chambers; economic development commissions
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Recommended actions |
Timeframe |
- Adjust community development policies and decision-making processes as needed to allow greater density and more developable land where appropriate in and adjacent to our existing communities and adapt to changing market demand.
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short term and ongoing |
- Foster focused and effective political leadership that engages the community in dialogue and decision-making processes and which enables inclusive, affordable neighborhoods.
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ongoing |
- Participation from the four municipalities of Steamboat Springs, Yampa, Hayden and Oak Creek on a regional organization or entity for affordable housing such as Yampa Valley Housing Authority that fosters collaboration and cooperation.
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ongoing |
- Develop a regional plan for affordable housing and coordinate affordable housing programs and activities with collaboration and cooperation on a regional level.
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short term and ongoing |
- Continually update housing market (both ownership and rental) to review demand, availability and needs.
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ongoing |
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VISION 2020 TO REALITY
Affordable Housing recommendation:
Create a regional housing authority
The Yampa Valley Housing Authority (YVHA) was formed in November 2003 through collaboration between the City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County governments in response to growing concern for the lack of affordable housing for people living and working in the Yampa Valley.
FUNDING
Desired outcome
Create and implement mechanism(s) that fund affordable housing in Routt County.
Possible interest groups/stewards
Governmental agencies; organizations such as Yampa Valley Housing Authority; housing advocacy groups; concerned interest groups; for-profit and non-profit entities; chambers; economic development commissions; state funding sources and organizations
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Recommended actions |
Timeframe |
- Encourage and support the coordination of regional housing collaboration with one lead agency such as Yampa Valley Housing Authority reflecting regional needs and participation from Hayden, Oak Creek, Steamboat Springs and Yampa.
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short term and ongoing |
- Develop and implement a county-wide educational component for affordable housing and seek combined effort and support from the four municipalities.
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short term and ongoing |
- Identify a dedicated, ongoing funding source to implement affordable housing initiatives (land and projects) such as a ballot issue for a property tax or sales tax among others.
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short term and ongoing |
- Create a private donation fund that can act as a secondary source of funds for affordable housing.
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short term and ongoing |
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AWARENESS & EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINING A DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Desired outcome
Seek a balanced economy that provides services, meets needs and attracts and retains residents for a diverse community, and that simultaneously values open space and a sense of place while addressing the need for affordable housing and inclusive community.
Possible interest groups/stewards
Governmental agencies; organizations such as Yampa Valley Housing Authority; housing advocacy groups; concerned interest groups; for-profit and non-profit entities; chambers; economic development commissions; state funding sources and organizations
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Recommended actions |
Timeframe |
- Develop and implement methods that enable collaborative decision making (with developers, employers, governmental entities, workforce and community organizations) for solutions to affordable housing.
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short term and ongoing |
- Create or assign a lead organization such as Yampa Valley Housing Authority to collaborate with workforce employers and develop and implement an educational program that presents options to employers and helps to supply workforce housing for employees.
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short term and ongoing |
- Develop and implement outreach affordability education for community as a whole.
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short term and ongoing |
- Continue to define, identify and update housing product preferences of various age groups, building upon the Housing Demand Analysis and Needs Assessment in order to attract and retain residents who will evolve as committed members of the community.
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ongoing |
- Research and implement public policy mechanisms that mitigate the economic distortion of an amenity-based region and enable a diverse socio-economic base (e.g. transfer fee assessments, consumption fees, housing land trusts, land cap restrictions).
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ongoing |
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