Skip to main content
Colorado General AssemblyToggle Main Menu
Agency NameToggle Agency Menu

I_ECR_AH_2021A 11/10/2021 09:02:55 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRANSFORMATIONAL TASK FORCE
Date 11/10/2021
Attendance
Bridges X
Duran X
Rick Garcia X
Alison George E
Hisey X
Pico X
Kristin Toombs X
Will Toor X
Chantal Unfug X
Cris White X
Woodrow X
Woodward X
Woog E
Zenzinger X
Roberts X
Gonzales X
Time 09:02:55 AM to 02:11:05 PM
Place Old State Library
This Meeting was called to order by Gonzales
This Report was prepared by April Bernard
Hearing Items Action Taken
Introductions Committee Discussion Only
Behavioral Health Transformation Task Force Update Committee Discussion Only
Governor's Affordable Housing Priorities Committee Discussion Only
Subpanel Transmittal of Funding Recommendations Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony Revolving Loan Fund: New and Existing Capacity Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony Gap Financing Including Expansion of Tax Credit Programs Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony Maintain Existing Affordable Housing Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony Resident Owned Communities, Mobile Home Parks, and Land-Banking Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony Discretionary Housing Innovation Fund for Division of Housing Committee Discussion Only
Next Steps/Closing Committee Discussion Only

Introductions - Committee Discussion Only


09:03:10 AM  
Senator Gonzales
made introductions and summarized the agenda.



Behavioral Health Transformation Task Force Update - Committee Discussion Only


09:12:47 AM  
Senator Pettersen
provided an update from the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force
(BHTTF).  The senator shared the task force pillars: children youth
and families; gaps in the continuum of care;  payor system sustainability
and affordability; integrated and coordinated care; criminal justice reform
and care; and workforce.

Senator Pettersen presented possible partnerships with the Affordable Housing
Transformational Task Force, including recovery beds, residential beds,
and respite beds.  She provided a handout (Attachment A).

The senator shared that the BHTTF plans to make funding decisions on December
10, 2021.
09:25:10 AM  
Senator Pettersen
responded to questions from committee members.



Governor's Affordable Housing Priorities - Committee Discussion Only


09:42:56 AM  
Director Rick Garcia,
representing the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), provided an overview
of housing priorities: strong communities; financing green energy improvements
for affordable housing; housing innovative incentives; and Colorado Housing
and Finance Authority's (CHFA) Missing Middle Income Program.  Mr.
Garcia provided a PowerPoint outlining the priorities (Attachment B).

 
09:46:19 AM  
Andy Hill, representing
DOLA Community Development Division, provided an update on the strong communities
(sustainable infrastructure) priority.  Ms. Hill indicated that local
governments may need assistance, including updates for infrastructure.

09:49:39 AM  
Ms. Hill suggested
that local communities are interested in the innovative housing program
that was created with the passage of House Bill 21-1271.

09:51:30 AM  
Ms. Hill summarized
activities that DOLA will support to promote strong communities, including
engineering studies, communication, infrastructure funding, and partnerships
for development of state land.  She shared funding examples, including
creating a regional transit authority or upgrading a main street with rezoning,
partnerships for affordable housing, and managing growth.

09:54:52 AM  
Will Toor, representing
the Colorado Energy Office, provided an update on building energy and affordable
housing.  Mr. Toor stated that buildings are one of Colorado's top
five largest greenhouse gas emitting sectors.  He indicated that with
regards to cost and equity, 20 percent of Colorado households spend at
least 5 percent of their income on energy and many low-income households
energy expenditures exceed 10 percent of income.  Mr. Toor indicated
that the proposed program focuses on: energy efficiency, clean electric
heating and appliances, and renewable energy.  He stated that $25
million will fund efficient, electric ready measures, efficient all electric
equipment, and renewable energy for existing buildings.

10:01:25 AM  
Jeff Kraft, Deputy
Director representing the Office of Economic Development, outlined current
programs that support housing.  He talked about the Innovative Housing
Incentive Program, stating that the program will grow small businesses
with innovative and sustainable business models, create jobs, and increase
housing inventory.
10:08:33 AM  
Deputy Director Kraft
detailed several components to the program, including per unit installation
incentives (plus-ups) and forgivable loans or revolving loans for affordable
and sustainable housing factory development.  The incentives or plus-ups
provide $500 for serving low to moderate income individuals, shipping from
the factory to the building site, energy efficiency, and projects in particular
geographic areas.
10:12:10 AM  
Cris White, representing
the CHFA, outlined the Missing Middle Workforce Housing program. Mr. White
indicated that the program focuses on individuals whose income falls within
60 to 120 percent of the area median income.
10:15:52 AM  
Director Garcia provided
information about additional affordable housing ideas and updates on current
programs, including planning grants and incentive grants.

10:17:18 AM  
Director Garcia indicated
that the acquisition fund established by Senate Bill 21-242 and House Bill
21-1329 has accepted over six applications, providing $17 million in funding.
 He indicated that five more applications are in the pipeline, totaling
$22 million, to purchase older hotels for rapid housing.  Director
Garcia talked about additional investments in affordable housing, including
an allocation of $70 million for 18 applicants of the total $98.5 million
available.
10:22:11 AM  
Director Garcia responded
to questions from the task force, including how the Governor's and task
force's priorities align.
10:27:35 AM  
Mr. Toor responded to questions on the green building recommendations.
10:30:12 AM  
Deputy Director Kraft responded to questions on the working capital grant.
10:31:51 AM  
Mr. Toor responded
to questions on the emission of greenhouse gases.
10:33:17 AM  
Mr. Toor responded to a question on renewable energy solar costs.
10:36:18 AM  
Director Garcia responded
to a question about additional funding to be used as incentives or infrastructure
improvements related to qualified land use and zoning strategies.
10:41:43 AM  
Ms. Hill outlined zoning changes that communities are proposing.
10:46:45 AM  
Mr. Toor responded to a question about energy efficiency and building codes.



Subpanel Transmittal of Funding Recommendations - Committee Discussion Only


10:57:09 AM  
Brian Rossbert, subpanel
chair, provided revised subpanel recommendations to the task force.  
10:58:42 AM  
Mr. Rossbert explained
the revised summary and letter (Attachment C).

11:04:31 AM  
Cathy Alderman, subpanel
vice-chair, provided information on changes to the recommendations.

11:08:20 AM  
Ms. Alderman responded to a question about the amount of funding recommended.
11:19:35 AM  
Ms. Alderman also
discussed consideration of Governor and BHTTF recommendations.
11:22:42 AM  
Ms. Alderman responded to questions regarding recycling funds.
11:23:33 AM  
Mr. Rossbert and
Ms. Alderman responded to a question about tying recommendations to area
median income.
11:28:54 AM  
Mr. Rossbert explained that the subpanel will next work on policy recommendations.
11:31:13 AM  
The committee discussed involving domestic violence professionals in the process where needed.
11:33:00 AM  
Ms. Alderman responded
to a question about nonprofit grants and loans.
11:33:50 AM  
Ms. Alderman provided answers to questions posed at the October meeting.
11:37:08 AM  
Ms. Alderman talked
about federal guidelines related to funding, including the subordination
of infrastructure to any project; allowing for the blending funds if reported;
and allowing for the use of loans.



11:38:30 AM
The committee took a lunch recess.



Public Testimony Revolving Loan Fund: New and Existing Capacity - Committee Discussion Only


12:31:17 PM  
The committee came back to order.
12:54:10 PM  
Dr. Michael Neil,
representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), testified
about the revolving loan fund: new and existing capacity.  Ms. Karen
Kallenberg, representing Habitat for Humanity, testified about the revolving
loan fund: new and existing capacity.
01:02:20 PM  
The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.



Public Testimony Gap Financing Including Expansion of Tax Credit Programs - Committee Discussion Only


01:15:33 PM  
Tiffany Bledsaw,
representing Response, testified about gap financing including expansion
of tax credit programs.
01:17:17 PM  
Ms. Bledsaw responded to questions from the committee.



Public Testimony Maintain Existing Affordable Housing - Committee Discussion Only


01:26:08 PM  
Mr. Kenneth Maestas,
representing CCDC, testified about maintaining existing affordable housing.



Public Testimony Resident Owned Communities, Mobile Home Parks, and Land-Banking - Committee Discussion Only


01:32:07 PM  
Ms. Cesiah Guadarrama
Trejo, representing 9to5 Colorado, testified about resident owned communities,
mobile home parks, and land-banking.  Mr. David Valleau, representing
himself, testified about resident owned communities, mobile home parks,
and land-banking.  
01:40:18 PM  
Mr. Charles Allison-Godfrey,
representing Elevation Community Land Trust, testified about resident owned
communities, mobile home parks, and land-banking.

01:41:15 PM  
Ms. Guadarramo Trejo responded to questions from the committee.
01:54:17 PM  
Mr. Valleau responded to questions from committee members about mobile home park sales.
01:54:52 PM  
Ms. Guadarramo Trejo responded to questions from committee members about mobile home park sales.



Public Testimony Discretionary Housing Innovation Fund for Division of Housing - Committee Discussion Only


01:58:37 PM  
There was no public testimony.



Next Steps/Closing - Committee Discussion Only


02:00:31 PM  
Mr. Rossbert indicated that the subpanel will meet Friday to start talking about policies.
02:03:35 PM  
An upcoming agenda will be developed for the November meeting.
02:03:49 PM  
There was a discussion
about where American Rescue Plan Act relief funds have gone so far. The
information may be helpful for the task force to review.
02:08:39 PM  
Director Toombs may assist in the task.


02:11:05 PM   The committee adjourned.






Colorado legislature email addresses ending in @state.co.us are no longer active. Please replace @state.co.us with @coleg.gov for Colorado legislature email addresses.  Details