The purpose of the Community Housing Program for Glenwood Springs is to increase the supply of ownership and rental housing that is affordable to those who live and/or work in the area. According to the Greater Roaring Fork Regional Housing Study, RRC Consulting, April 2019, the affordability gap, the difference between the median price of a home sold and what a household (4 persons) earning the median income can afford, was roughly $147,000 for Glenwood Springs in 2017. Housing costs have affected the ability of the community to retain and attract employees.
The Community Housing Program requires that new residential development provide 20% of the housing that is produced be restricted to Resident Occupied and at least 10% of the housing that is produced to be affordable to households earning up to 100% of the area median income as outlined in these guidelines. This program offers incentives that may be used to mitigate the costs of producing this housing, while continuing to address the desire of the community to provide more affordable housing overall in areas that are close to transit. The program also seeks to distribute community housing throughout new developments to ensure units will be produced in proportion to market rate housing that is constructed in any new development.
Lastly, the City of Glenwood Springs recognizes that affordable housing is a valuable community resource that needs to remain available for not only current residents and employees, but also for those who may come to the area in the future. For this reason, community housing units that are constructed are subject to these Guidelines and the City’s
inclusionary housing requirements as outlined in Article 070.045 of the Glenwood Springs Municipal Code. Community housing units will be held as permanently affordable through deed restrictions or other methods to ensure prices remain affordable over time. For more information, please read the City of Glenwood Springs Community Housing Guidelines. More information may also be found at cog.us.
City of Glenwood Springs Community Housing Guidelines
All individuals interested in Affordable Housing should read through the Community Housing Guidelines. The Guidelines detail how the program works from development, how to qualify, placement in lotteries and the resale of the property. Please CLICK HERE for the City of Glenwood Springs Guidelines.
City of Glenwood Springs Area Median Income Limits
The Area Median Income (AMI) Limits are updated every year in April by HUD for Garfield County. The City of Glenwood Springs Community Guidelines have three Category Income levels allowed for the program ranging from Category One at 100% AMI Income thru Category 3 at 120% AMI Income. The AMI Limits list the maximum Gross Income level per household. Please CLICK HERE for 2023 Area Median Income Limits.
Priority of Qualified Applicants in Lottery
The Garfield County Housing Authority shall assign all Qualified Applicants 1 of 3 Employment priorities.
- Employment area one – employees working for an employer with a physical address within the corporate city limits of Glenwood Springs, are directly employed by a company that has its principal office located in the city limits, or an employee who is self-employed within the corporate city limits of Glenwood Springs.
- Employment area two – employees working for an employer whose physical address is located within the 81601 zip code, or an employee who is self-employed within the same area.
- Employment area three – employees working for an employer within a thirty (30) mile radius of the corporate city limits.
*Full-time is defined as a minimum of 32 hours per week per calendar year. Full-time employment for qualification purposes shall not include minimum hours accumulated in various priority areas.
Note: Applicants will be notified if they are not in Priority One of the lottery when they receive their Eligibility Letter via email. At this time, proof can be shown to correct placement in lottery.
Deed Restricted Properties
The deed restricted properties are located throughout the City of Glenwood Springs. These properties have a maximum resale price with an 3% annual appreciation based on the Consumer Price Index for Garfield County.
