Boulder City Council on Tuesday increased the city’s affordable housing goal from 10 percent to 15 percent, with a target date of 2035.
To date, the city has deed-restricted 7.5 percent, or 3,484 homes, for low- and moderate-income residents. The new 15 percent goal includes properties that are permanently affordable for low-, moderate- and middle-income households.
Council also expressed support for an eventual increase to 20 percent, which was recommended by the Housing Advisory Board, though it did not make that move Tuesday. Members voted unanimously — with the absences of Mirabai Nagle and Bob Yates — in favor of the resolution for 15 percent.
City staff told council that 20 percent by 2035 would be unlikely without the city adding more units than envisioned in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, which is used by the city and county to guide long-range planning and review of development proposals. The 15 percent goal would be doable but would require additional strategies and financing from the city, staff said.
“To reach anything beyond the 10 percent goal, it cannot be business as usual,” said Kristin Hyser, deputy director of Boulder Housing and Human Services.
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