Denver Housing
District 9 residents know that we are facing a housing crisis: it is too expensive compared to income, it is not located where people want to live, and there isn’t enough of it. I will be a champion of housing affordability in Denver, increasing the pace of construction of affordable housing units to be built in neighborhoods across our city. A lens of equity will inform all of my approaches to housing.
I am committed to workforce housing that targets educators, restaurant workers, and first responder incomes (60-80% of area median income or approximately 50-60k) as well as affordable housing that targets incomes at 30% and 50% (approximately 25-40k) of area median income levels.
Currently, there are 1,202 affordable units that have received city financing under construction at 25 sites throughout Denver. An additional 779 income-restricted units are in the planning stage. We need a council member who will collaborate with – not alienate – government agencies, the business and nonprofit sector, and the community to expedite this process. My efforts will focus on the following:
Support for Homeownership
Increase sources of funding for attainable and affordable housing, including the expansion of the Deerfield fund and CHAFA programs to provide down payment assistance for first-time buyers up to 80% AMI.
Area Plan Adoption
Fast-track the adoption of area plans that communities have created, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as an allowable use across District 9.
Permit Process Reforms
- Streamline permitting process to reduce the permit timeline from an average of 18 months to 3 months in order to meet Proposition 123 requirements.
- Coordinate with administration to transition the permit team from Community Planning and Development back to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Implement capacity management process that provides for 9-5 Monday – Friday staffed permit window to answer questions supporting frontline customer service.
- Pre-Approved Prototypes: Streamline “missing middle” housing typologies with simplified reviews and prototype pre-approved designs.
