The State of Colorado, CHFA and Denver Launch First Step Towards A Common Application for Colorado Affordable Housing Development

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STATEWIDE –  Today, Governor Polis, Mayor Mike Johnston, Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) and the City and County of Denver's Department of Housing Stability (HOST) announced the launch of Housing Hub Colorado, a new initiative designed to bring key agencies in the state together to support a streamlined process to apply for affordable rental housing tax credits and related public funds, and strengthen Colorado's commitment to safe, stable, and secure housing for all. Housing Hub Colorado is the first initiative launching out of the Colorado Housing Consortium.

"Colorado is breaking down barriers to more housing people can afford and this one-stop shop will help make that possible in more communities across our state. This effort will save people, and local communities, time and money when building new homes in Colorado," said Governor Jared Polis.

"There is no greater need in Denver and Colorado than affordable housing, and no greater obstacle to our success than time," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "I'm proud to partner with Gov. Polis and the top minds in this space to get shovels in the ground sooner, build smarter, and ensure Denverites can keep living in the city they love."

By bringing agencies together and aligning application timelines, Housing Hub Colorado reduces time and cost for developers that are seeking public funding along with housing tax credits, and helps us all move faster toward creating more homes for Coloradans. This initiative is a vital step in building a more coordinated system that supports the shared goal of ensuring every Coloradan has access to a place to call home.

We know that affordable rental housing projects often require complex funding structures with multiple sources of capital. A recent joint organization survey of those that have applied for housing tax credits in the last two years, and the feedback was clear:
  • 85% of respondents selected a statewide common application as the biggest opportunity for an improvement to the process of applying for funding for affordable housing projects.
  • 65% of respondents indicated that applying to multiple gap funding sources for tax credit projects has a large impact on timelines and puts their projects at risk.

This effort is the result of an unprecedented collaboration between state and local partners committed to reducing bureaucratic red tape, cutting down duplicative work, and improving the experience for developers who build affordable homes across the state.

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The Housing Consortium is composed of over 100 participants from the private, public, and social sectors and was created by BuildStrong Foundation with the support of McKinsey & Company in March of this year. The consortium is co-chaired by Pat Hamill and DOLA Executive Director Maria De Cambra . The goal of the Housing Consortium is to drive forward solutions that can lower the cost of construction and accelerate housing development through cross-sector collaboration.

"We are focused on cutting red tape to save time and money. Ultimately, we want to create the Amazon of affordable housing finance in our state and make it as easy as possible to build, with the hopes that it saves money for Coloradans," said Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.

"CHFA's mission to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development thrives on collaborative partnerships with organizations dedicated to the same goals," said Thomas Bryan, Executive Director and CEO of CHFA. "Housing Hub Colorado marks an inspiring leap forward to boost efficiency and coordination while supporting the creation of more affordable homes for communities across our state."

"A strong economy depends on  good-paying jobs and housing Coloradans can afford. By simplifying the process of applying for funding, we are reducing time and cost burdens for communities and developers and accelerating the creation of homes near jobs and industry. We are proud  to work with so many dedicated partners across the housing space to strengthen Colorado's competitiveness, support local employers, and help Coloradans  live in the communities they love," said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

"Fragmented processes and layering of requirements across government agencies can cause tremendous delays for builders when navigating funding related to affordable housing," said Pat Hamill, Founder and Former CEO of Oakwood Homes and Chair of the BuildStrong Foundation. "Housing Hub Colorado is the first step to accelerate housing development across Colorado.  It's exciting to see what happens when we come together as a housing sector to push forward solutions."

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"We heard it loud and clear from developers, removing barriers and accelerating delivery is one of their biggest priorities. Housing Hub Colorado will make it easier for developers to turn plans into homes," said Jamie Van Leeuwen, Managing Director of BuildStrong Foundation. "This historic achievement wouldn't be possible without leaders across sectors rolling up their sleeves and working together. We should be proud of the progress the Housing Consortium has made in just months, not years."

With more efficient coordination and clearer pathways, this collaboration will help Colorado meet the growing demand for housing across the state.

Phase 1: What Is Launching Today

Phase 1 focuses on immediate improvements that make the housing funding process more coordinated and predictable.

Phase 1 includes:
  • A centralized website that shares timelines, instructions, and resources for rental housing developments seeking Housing Tax Credits along with related gap funding from DOLA and/or HOST
  • Aligned application spreadsheet across CHFA, DOLA, and HOST, allowing developers to use a single budget application which will save time and money for developers
  • Aligned narrative questions across agencies
  • A streamlined DOLA pre-application that removes financial letters of interest and reduces required fields
  • A unified funding timeline that helps developers understand when programs open and how to prepare

These updates create a clear timeline for developer stakeholders and reduce administrative burden so projects can move forward more quickly.

Phase 2: What Comes Next

Phase 2 continues to deepen alignment across agencies and develop a common application.

Phase 2 will include:
  • A common application for funding sources related to developments supported by Housing Tax Credits, targeted for launch in 2026
  • A fully aligned set of questions and required materials
  • Expansion to additional housing programs beginning with additional rental funding opportunities and later including homeownership programs

This next phase is an important step toward a more efficient and predictable system that supports the continued growth of affordable housing across Colorado.

Housing Hub Colorado reflects a collective commitment to building communities where people can put down roots, plan for the future, and thrive. By creating a clearer and more efficient pathway for developing new homes, the initiative supports a stronger and more resilient Colorado for generations to come.

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