COMMERCE CITY — A group charged with providing affordable housing in this city has produced its first strategic plan for a time of high demand and dwindling resources.
“Hopefully, this plan will shape affordable housing in Commerce City over the next five to 10 years,” said Commerce City Housing Authority chairwoman Lynette Malloy.
The CCHA was established in 1979 to provide housing to low- and moderate-income households throughout the community.
This year, the agency decided to assemble a comprehensive plan for proceeding in a world with fewer government grants available. “The money simply is not out there anymore,” Malloy said.
“So we have to have a plan to follow to get those grants still out there and to work, especially, on senior housing,” she said. “We just need to make sure we are all on the right page.”
The plan also places new emphasis on producing revenue, so the housing authority can depend less on subsidies. This means partnering with banks, developers and other agencies to buy or build attractive low-income homes and apartments, Malloy said.
The agency also is learning to rely on a much smaller staff to do the work.
At its peak, more than nine employees administered grants, completed residential rehabilitations and oversaw new developments. Today, CCHA has one full-time staff member and a part-time accountant.
CCHA says it has an ownership interest in 226 “quality” affordable units in Commerce City. The authority also provides Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers used for private rental housing.
This year, CCHA had only 70 vouchers for distribution and the need continues, the agency said. Its wait list for the federally subsidized program has been closed since 2001.
But that has not stopped the authority from netting a large potential spot for new homes.
In August, the CCHA paid $647,900 for the undeveloped portion of Conter Estates subdivision, at East 60th Avenue and Monaco Street. The parcel includes of 24 vacant lots and three lots where rental patio homes have been built.
CCHA, which once owned the properties, used $547,900 of unrestricted cash reserves and a tax-exempt donation component valued at $100,000 to buy back the parcel from BaseCamp Conter LLC and BaseCamp Development LLC.
CCHA wants the development to be reserved for those 55 and older.
“Given the lack of affordable older adult housing in the north metro area, the Conter Estates subdivision will be a destination for senior living in a welcoming community,” housing authority coordinator Tracy Jones said.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
