The key issues in this year’s Mayoral election are pretty consistent. Public Safety, Infrastructure, Homelessness, Cost of living, Economic vitality and Affordable Housing are all mentioned frequently.

Episode 10:  Affordable Housing

In this episode, we’re going to take a look at one of these issues – Affordable Housing and it’s related issue of Attainable Housing. I’ve lived here for 30 years and Affordable Housing has been talked about almost that entire time. It seems like we’ve fallen farther behind during that time too. So why haven’t we solved it? What are the solutions we need to be looking at now? And what is the role does the Mayor play in solving the issue?

High housing costs — both in terms of renting and purchasing — can have a big impact on a community. If lower income families can’t find affordable housing, it can increase homelessness. If some residents have to choose between paying their rent and paying for food, it can spiral into a host of other issues.

If younger residents can’t afford housing here they are more likely to move to another city. It can make it harder for companies and organizations to recruit new employees. And it impacts whether companies may choose to relocate here.

Affordable housing is typically defined as paying no more than 30% of a household’s income. So obviously that varies from person-to-person and family-to-family. Part of the issue is subsidized housing for lower income residents, and the other part is building less expensive homes that allow first time homebuyers and moderate income families to find something they can afford.

There are a lot of moving parts to this issue, so I thought it would be good to get a couple of folks who know something about it to join me today. Kris Lewis is the Executive Director of Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity here in Colorado Springs, an organization on the front lines of this issue. And I’m also joined by former City Councilperson Richard Skorman, who can help talk about this from the City’s perspective.  

COS'23:  The Mayor's Race is presented by AVANT StrategiesProduction assistance is provided by Ted Robertson