AARPCO Joins Gov. Polis for historic affordable housing announcement

Governor Jared Polis, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, Representative Iman Jodeh, Representative Steven Woodrow, Representative William Lindstedt, Representative Ruby Dickson, AARP Colorado, environmental leaders, local government officials, housing, business, labor leaders, and other community leaders announced a comprehensive plan to help create more housing now for every Colorado budget. 

The plan will create ways for the state to work with local leaders to develop strategies that meet the needs of their communities by incentivizing smart and efficient buildings, allowing more affordable types of homes to be built. The plan will also help Colorado improve air quality, grow open space, conserve our water, and plan for future growth, Polis said.

Senate Bill 23-213 will begin by establishing a multi-agency advisory committee to provide the following:

• Methodologies for developing statewide, regional, and local housing needs assessments;
• Guidance for creating housing needs plans;
• Developing a menu of affordability strategies;
• Developing a menu of displacement mitigation measures;
• Identifying strategic growth objectives; and
• Developing reporting guidance and templates.

AARP Colorado State Director Sara Schueneman, as well as AARPCO Advocacy Chairwoman Leslie Kalechman attended the announcement.

“Surveys by AARP show most Coloradans, including older adults, prefer to live in walkable neighborhoods that offer a mix of housing and transportation options,” said Sara Schueneman, AARP Colorado State Director. “Maximizing middle housing helps keep people in the neighborhoods they want to age in with dignity.

“Middle Housing can provide a community with a wider range of housing options, at various price points, while maintaining the character of the community. They also provide the size and affordability options that people of all ages — including older adults — need but can’t often find,” Schueneman added. 

Learn more about the bill by clicking here.