Colorado: What Local, Community, and Housing Leaders Are Saying About Governor Polis and the Legislature Taking Action to Build More Housing

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DENVER - Today, Governor Polis took action and signed two new laws that break down barriers blocking new housing from being built, building on Colorado's historic work to build more homes Coloradans can afford. Read what local, community, and housing leaders are saying about today's action.

"The HOME Act sponsors have done their homework to listen, to understand, and to refine the bill into something that can be transformational for delivering affordable housing. At the same time, they have ensured that it is a safe, reasonable and rational way to do so," said Andrea Burns, Vice President of Impact and Engagement at Urban Land Conservancy.

"It would be game-changing to see House Bill 1001 eliminate the cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming land use and zoning processes that take place at the local level. Our state still faces a shortage of over 100,000 affordable homes; the HOME Act is a critical tool to get more done, faster, to meet our housing needs statewide."

"Projects like those enabled by the HOME Act need to be legal everywhere in the state. We have some great examples in Longmont, but the housing market doesn't stop at city limits and neither can the work to expand the options for adding to Colorado's housing supply," said Shakeel Dalal, President of LAUNCH Longmont Housing.

"The HOME Act is the type of bold action these problems demand. It cuts through unnecessary barriers and empowers public schools, universities, transit agencies, public housing authorities, and nonprofits with a track record of building affordable housing to put their underutilized land to work for the people who need it most. No new bureaucracy. No waiting for someone else to act. Just common-sense tools for organizations that already own land and want to be part of the solution," said Kevin Mathews, Policy Chair of YIMBY Denver.

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"The HOME Act is a smart and popular policy. We are thrilled that this new process will help our trusted community partners do more of what they are already doing, building housing Colorado's families can actually afford," said Zach Martinez, Director of Policy at Gary Advocacy.

"This is a great win not just for affordable housing, but for taking real steps towards addressing the ever-increasing rates of homelessness across the state. Homelessness is ultimately a housing problem, so it's wonderful to see the State of Colorado take real, concrete steps towards growing the supply of affordable housing to meet the demand," said Jessica Ehinger, CEO of Colorado Village Collaborative.

"Budgets are tight, but Colorado's local governments have a powerful, untapped resource: Land. This bill empowers our school districts, transit agencies, and universities to turn that land into the housing our communities desperately need," said Peter Erikson from YIMBY Fort Collins.

"A home is more than a roof and four walls -- home is security, stability and dignity. We support HB26-1001 The HOME Act because it will empower key institutions in our communities to expand their efforts to develop housing and bring us closer to our goal of ensuring a home for every Coloradan," said Shara Smith, CEO of the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado.

"The HOME Act would open up more housing opportunities in the heart of our communities and lower housing costs for hardworking Coloradans. It removes red tape that makes it harder for homes to be built in the communities where people live and work. We need simple and effective solutions that will make housing more affordable for working people, retirees, and first-time home buyers. The HOME Act enables more and different types of homes to be built that meet the different needs of hardworking Coloradans," said Laura "Pinky" Reinsch, Executive Director of Centennial State Prosperity.

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"Home is where you lay your head in comfort and safety, where you enjoy your loved ones and make memories for your children and grandchildren," said Susan Bolduc of the Colorado Springs Faith Table.

"Colorado's businesses are only as strong as the communities where our employees can afford to live. The housing shortage is making it harder every day to attract and retain the talented workforce our state's economy depends on. The HOME Act is a pragmatic solution that more easily puts underutilized land to work, and creates a faster, more predictable path to building homes that hardworking Coloradans can actually afford. Good Business Colorado Association applauds the Colorado Senate for passing HB26-1001 and stands firmly behind this critical step toward a stronger, more equitable Colorado economy," said Doni Clemons, Acting Director of Good Business Colorado Association.

"The institutions this bill seeks to empower: schools, transit agencies, nonprofits, are all deeply rooted in Place. These organizations view providing homes and support in our communities as an important extension of their missions and values. We applaud our state legislators for removing this barrier to allowing this vital work to continue and flourish," said Kate Conley from YIMBY Fort Collins.

"With the HOME Act passing the Senate, AARP Colorado is glad to see this commonsense solution moving forward. Colorado's housing crisis and the sheer expense of aging-in-place are crushing older adults. By unlocking underutilized land, the HOME Act boosts supply, affordability, and will give Coloradans 50-plus more options to live in the communities they love to call home," said Dan Domsic at AARP.

"The HOME Act is a big win for housing affordability because it will turn underutilized land into much-needed homes and give more people access to walkable, transit-rich neighborhoods. By streamlining approvals for affordable housing and focusing growth in existing communities instead of pushing sprawl onto natural and agricultural lands, this bill will cut pollution, save households money, and move us toward a more sustainable and resilient Colorado," said Matt Frommer, Transportation and Land Use Policy Manager at Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.

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