The State of Colorado implemented the Voter Approved Prop 123 Statewide Affordable Housing Funding Program by requiring all participating jurisdictions to commit to increasing their inventory of affordable housing by 3% annually between 2023 and 2026 – an increase of at least 555 affordable homes for Fort Collins. Fort Collins developed and preserved 606 restricted affordable homes, surpassing our minimum commitment! 

As soon as the City’s fast-track process is approved, the next 3-year commitment number can be filed with the State Department of Local Affairs. This means affordable housing projects in Fort Collins will continue to have access to compete for this important source of funding. Thanks to all the developers of affordable housing who allowed the City to achieve this important milestone.

Data informed policy and decisions are more likely to lead to desired impacts. Two City partners are sharing great information about needs of housing in Northern Colorado and the numbers that illustrate these needs.

1.      Larimer County has developed an interactive dashboard for easy access to key housing needs data from the Larimer County Regional Housing Needs Assessment. Searchable by City, check out information on housing supply, rental markets, for-sale markets, affordability and production needs. This information and more can be explored at: https://www.larimer.gov/housing/partners/housing-assessment.

2.      The NoCo Foundation has published Housing at a Crossroads -Affordability, Access and the Future of Northern Colorado. This report was developed to provide a clear, regional view of how growth, changing demographics, market dynamics, and policy environments are shaping outcomes across Northern Colorado. Check it out at: https://www.flipsnack.com/nocofoundation/housing-at-a-crossroads-report

The City of Fort Collins Rental Housing and Healthy Homes programs are teaming up to provide a series of rental housing workshops this Fall, made possible for the community due to the generous support of AARP. All events will take place at the Fort Collins Senior Center and include refreshments, giveaways, and information/resources from local experts. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Workshops for Housing Providers:

• ADA and Senior-Friendly Practices: September 22nd, 11am-1pm
• Maintenance and Efficiency Practices: September 28th, 11am-1pm

Workshops for tenants:

• Tenant Rights & Responsibilities, Strategies for Communicating with your Landlord: October 12th, 10am-12pm
• Home Healthy & Safety Tips, Emergency Preparedness: October 19th, 10am-12pm

Registration for this free event is required. 

The Housing and Community Vitality Department at the City of Fort Collins, has published guidelines for Affordable Housing Capital Funds (CCIP and Quarter Cent Capital Tax). This document outlines broad uses of funds and provides some information on the process for housing providers and developers to apply for gap funding to support affordable housing development, preservation, and acquisition.

The Affordable Housing Capital Fund (AHCF) is funded through a local quarter cent sales tax dedicated to specified infrastructure projects in Fort Collins, including affordable housing. To be eligible, development projects must be:

·         Located in City Limits

·         Deed Restricted for 60 years

·         Have more than 50% of the homes qualify as affordable housing

The City intends to open an application window in the coming weeks for developers to apply for AHCF gap funding. An email announcing the application opening will be sent out. If you need to be added to the email list, please reach out to housing@fortcollins.gov and request to be added to the AHCF list.

The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority has a new down payment assistance program for full-time Colorado Public School Employees called School to Home program. This program was created to help Colorado Public School Employees purchase homes and live in the communities where they work. Along with a fixed rate first mortgage, downpayment and/or closing cost assistance as a second mortgage loan up to 25% of the first mortgage amount. There is a shared appreciation component that benefits the Public School Permanent Fund.

The Affordable Housing Board is on the move with meetings this fall at Colorado State University, CARE Communities and Neighbor to Neighbor. Find details for these meetings by visiting https://www.fortcollins.gov/Government/Boards-and-Commissions/Affordable-Housing-Board and check the meeting location on the published Board Agenda.  Visitors and guests are always welcome.

September 8 City Council Work Session - 2026 Community Survey Results

October 13 City Council Work Session - Overall City Budget and Council Priority Updates

October 27 City Council Work Sessions -  Housing Action Plan and Regional Homelessness Strategy

November 3 City Council Meeting - Appropriation for 2027/2028 City Budget

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