City leaders working to address housing deficit

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Efforts are underway to bring more homes to Colorado Springs, just days after housing advocates pointed out some shortfalls. The Pikes Peak Housing Network says El Paso County has a housing deficit of between 13,000 and 27,000 homes right now. The organization says affordable housing remains a big need, but Colorado Springs officials say the community is pushing back on some developments.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade said housing “Will continue to be a crisis, but it’s also an opportunity.”

“Homes have risen far more in price than income; three times more,” said Pikes Peak Housing Network Executive Director Jill Gaebler.

Gaebler presented to the Colorado Springs City Council on Monday and said El Paso County is not building enough homes that the average person can afford right now. She said the median home price in the county currently sits around $500,000.

“The average age of the first-time homebuyer has increased to 40 years old. Just a decade ago, it was 31 years old,” said Gaebler, “we’re renting longer, getting that nest egg ready to purchase a home and put down a deposit.”

In Colorado Springs, Mayor Mobolade says the city is working on the issue.

“We’ve invested $230 million in affordable housing projects… But what I’m really proud of is 3000 homes since I got into office, affordable homes,” said Mobolade.

City of Colorado Springs Media Relations Manager Max D’Onofrio said in a statement to FOX21 the city is working to advance several initiatives, including “developing a Housing Action Plan; investing in new affordable and attainable housing through federal funds and private‑activity bonds; supporting rehabilitation programs for low‑income seniors; providing tenant‑based rental assistance; strengthening partnerships with the Colorado Springs Housing Authority; and maintaining the City’s eligibility for Proposition 123 to keep more projects moving forward.”

“We will continue to ensure that every money from the federal government that passes through the city and every money from the state that passes through the city will be prioritized for housing that targets the area median income that our residents need,” said Mobolade.

Gaebler says her organization helps builders who construct all types of homes connect with decision makers when seeking project approval. But she and the mayor say affordable housing often gets pushback from the community.

“It’s getting harder and harder for those projects to get approved because community members fight and oppose a lot of these housing developments,” said Gaebler.

“We’re seeing a pushback from our community on just about every affordable housing project,” said Mobolade, “I know people get hung up on that term. We’re not talking about Section 8 lower-income homes, not that that doesn’t matter, that matters. We’re talking about teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, military members that can’t afford to live in this city.”

D’Onofrio also stated, while the city focuses on affordable rentals and attainable homeownership, it is also aiming to preserve neighborhood character and protect quality of life.

The city did not give a date on when it is aiming to complete the Housing Action Plan, which it says is currently in the works.