A measure requiring the building of affordable housing units in all new rental projects is currently working its way through the Colorado House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, House Bill 1117 is designed to increase the state’s affordable housing stock by legally mandating the construction of affordable units.
Builders declining to construct such units will additionally be offered the option of either constructing such space elsewhere or contributing to a fund that will be used to pay for affordable housing building projects generally.
A study recently conducted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition indicated that the Centennial State is in need of at least 121,000 new affordable rental units, and that out of the state’s 63 counties, none have an adequate supply of such housing.
As written, the legislation, which is currently under review in the House Transportation & Local Government committee, moves around a 2000 decision handed down by the Colorado Supreme Court .
That decision addressed itself to a land use ordinance in the southwestern Colorado town of Telluride mandating affordable housing.
The higher court determined that that ordinance violated a state statute prohibiting local governments from enacting what are in essence rent control measures.
Its sponsors say that House Bill 1117, on the contrary, is designed to apply only to proposed apartment projects, not those already in existence.
While affordable housing advocates have expressed their support for the legislation, the Colorado Apartment Association, representing some 282,000 rental units statewide, has said that the bill could have the effect of making new apartment construction more expensive.
If ultimately passed by the full legislature, the measure would go into effect on September 1.
By Garry Boulard
