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Voices from Affordable Housing (Oral History Project)

[video:https://youtu.be/5ECGGFeXVLY]

Affordable Housing in �鶹ӰԺ County

�鶹ӰԺ County, at approximately 313,333 population according to the 2014 Census estimate, continues to grow, while housing availability for middle and low-income residents is increasingly sparse. There has been an outmigration of households earning less than $50,000 and an influx of households earning more than $150,000, and the median home price has risen from $133,210 in 1980 to $501,800 in 2011 (1980 Census, 2011 ACS). Most affordable housing is attached housing (apartments or condos), and the �鶹ӰԺ Housing Market Analysis conducted for the City of �鶹ӰԺ in 2013 noted that families seeking detached single family homes have more options outside �鶹ӰԺ city such as Longmont. While home-ownership is out of the question for over 40% of �鶹ӰԺ’s residents, access to affordable rentals is also severely limited. The average rent in �鶹ӰԺ is $1,080, requiring an estimated income of $47, 216. There are a number of organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, working to expand affordable housing infrastructure and improve access to affordable housing, including Thistle Communities, �鶹ӰԺ Housing Helpers, Bridge House, �鶹ӰԺ Housing Partners and the city of �鶹ӰԺ office of Housing and Human Services. However, given the trend of rising median household incomes, rising housing prices and increased outmigration of middle and low-income families, these organizations are finding it difficult to increase low-income residents’ access to affordable housing opportunities.

Access to affordable housing in �鶹ӰԺ has changed drastically over the past several decades. Low-income residents have become increasingly vulnerable to rising housing costs and decreased overall availability. Graduate students conducting research in the Spring 2015 qualitative research seminar generated extensive community interest, and received numerous requests to continue collecting data from a wide variety of sources in order to broaden general understanding about for affordable housing options, opportunities, and activism. Additionally, students observed that participants in the “Housing �鶹ӰԺ Working Group” meetings voiced concern over a general lack of information about low-income resident experiences and views. In order to serve those who are most vulnerable to �鶹ӰԺ County’s shifting housing market, more research is needed to identify specific housing issues in the context of broader social, political and economic processes. By including qualitative geography research methods, this project engages low-income and minority residents’ perspectives along with historical and quantitative data. The resulting comprehensive analysis will positively contribute to existing efforts aimed at improving access to affordable housing. ��