Updates from the Colorado Division of Housing (DOH)

NEWS & UPDATES

FEBRUARY 2020

Stakeholder Engagement Findings

More than 850 stakeholders from 54 counties shared views about local housing needs and possible solutions through an online survey and a series of Outreach & Engagement events in 2019. The Colorado Department of Local Affairs’ Division of Housing (DOH) held the engagement events across Colorado in partnership with Housing Colorado and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). An in-depth analysis of stakeholder data conducted by DOH identifies key themes, regional challenges, and solutions.

2019 Housing Stakeholder Engagement Findings

Non Developed State-owned Land

HB19-1319, signed into law by Governor Polis on May 17, 2019, requires state agencies and institutions of higher education generate a list of non developed land that could potentially be used for affordable housing. Compiled by the Capital Development Committee, this inventory is available on the Division of Housing’s website. To be connected to the agency contact for a property on the list contact Ben Henderson, Deputy Director for Budget of Colorado’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting at benjamin.s.henderson@state.co.us.

Non Developed State-owned Land Inventory

DOH's New Director of Housing Finance and Sustainability

Please join us in welcoming Andrew Paredes to the Colorado Division of Housing as our new Director of Housing Finance and Sustainability overseeing our grant and loan underwriting and compliance teams. A native of Colorado Springs, Andrew has spent his career working in the housing finance and construction sector. In 2010, Andrew joined Colorado Business Bank (CoBiz) where he started the bank’s Residential Mortgage Group. Andrew's additional duties at CoBiz included residential construction lending, commercial real estate financing, both construction and term debt, as well as small business lending.

See Andrew's Full Bio & Contact Information

We're Cleaning Up Our Rules

At the end of February, DOH will file a “Notice of Rulemaking Hearing” for the purpose of updating rules for the Housing Investment Trust Fund (CRS 24-32-717). The Housing Investment Trust Fund is a revolving loan fund for the purpose of building or rehabilitating low- or moderate-income housing. The statute empowers the State Housing Board to set the income eligibility for low- and moderate-income families.

Review the Rulemaking Change and Provide Feedback

Mobile Home Park Stakeholder Engagement

DOH's Office of Regulatory Oversight is connecting with stakeholders through a series of public meetings as part of the Mobile Home Park Oversight Program. The Program supports better communication and promotes mutual understanding between mobile home park landlords and mobile home owners, by providing an equitable, less costly, and more efficient way for landlords and home owners to resolve disputes. Seven recorded public meetings have taken place in Colorado communities since September 2019. Additional meetings are scheduled for Fort Collins (2/10), Thorton (2/18), Golden (2/22), & Denver (2/26).

Mobile Home Park Stakeholder Engagement

2020 Private Activity Bond

The Private Activity Bond (PAB) program provides tax-exempt financing for privately developed eligible activities/projects. The vast majority of PABs in Colorado are utilized to finance affordable housing projects and affordable home mortgages. In 2020 DOH allocated $292 MM in PAB to CHFA, $10 MM to the Colorado Agricultural Development Authority, and $286 MM to local issuing authorities across Colorado. DOH has a balance of $11 MM in PAB available to be allocated. Due to increased demand, DOH has developed a new PAB application process composed of three rounds, with the first applications due March 1, 2020. Visit the DOH website and/or Contact wendy.hawthorne@state.co.us for more information.

2020 Private Activity Bond Application Process

Competitive Request for Applications

DOH released three Request for Applications (RFAs) on 12/6/19 to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness in Colorado. The 2019-20 Annual RFA for the Creation of Supportive Housing, Tenancy Support Services for Supportive Housing RFA, and Recovery-Oriented Housing RFA. All three RFAs required Letters of Intent (LOIs) submitted to DOH by 1/10/2020. The LOIs received demonstrate a need that outweighs the supply of available DOH resources, highlighting the need for continued investments in affordable housing.

DOH released the Homeless Prevention Activities Program RFA on 1/10/2020. The Homeless Prevention Activities Program (HPAP) provides funding to nonprofits and local governments to prevent at-risk households from experiencing homeless. The program is supported through voluntary contributions to a State Income Tax Check-off. Applications are due February 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. For more info contact gaelyn.coyle@state.co.us.

Open DOH Requests for Applications

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