The City of Glenwood Springs is taking an innovative approach to address the Roaring Fork Valley’s ever-mounting housing crisis, as it recently launched its Employer-Based Rental Assistance pilot program. In short, the program will provide one year of critical rental assistance to cost burdened employees who live and work in Glenwood Springs. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to reduce the workforce housing stressors, increase employee retention and help maintain a robust local economy.
“The housing crunch that we are experiencing is becoming existential to the community’s identity,” said Kevin Rayes, housing development manager for the City of Glenwood Springs. “I think this program helps provide some level of real-time and immediate support for folks who want to make a life here, but can’t make ends meet.”
For the City of Glenwood Springs, the pilot program is seen as a partnership between Glenwood Springs employers and the City. Per the program’s criteria, both parties must equally contribute up to $500 toward rental assistance. For example, if an employer provides their employee a $200 housing stipend, the City will match this amount resulting in $400 of monthly rental assistance. However, since this program is aimed to support vulnerable employees within Glenwood Springs, certain qualifications must be met.
Specifically, an employer can apply on behalf of their employee if they own or manage a business that has a physical location within city limits, conducts business regularly and has the means to match financial assistance for one year. Qualified employees include those who have been employed by the business for at least one year, work a minimum average of 32 hours per week, already reside within city limits or have been pre-approved for a rental dwelling. They must be considered cost burdened — spending more than 30% of their income on rent, a standard recognized by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Citing daycare closures, long grocery lines and RFTA service cutbacks, Rayes said vital services are struggling because employees lack stable housing. Ideally, the pilot program will offer some relief for employees and help them stay longer in the RFV and keep businesses operating.
“Whether or not you are cost-burdened, this affects everybody,” he elaborated. “Our goal is to support the folks who make our economy run on a daily basis.”
In 2022, Glenwood Springs residents understood the critical need for workforce housing and voted to pass ballot measure 2C. The measure proposed a 2.5% accommodations tax for visitors and lodgers staying in Glenwood Springs hotels, motels, short-term rentals or other accommodations to establish the Workforce Housing Fund. The City estimated this tax would generate $1.7 million each year to help fund housing. Rental assistance funding comes on the heels of 2C’s approval.
“The Workforce Housing Advisory Board is the group of local volunteers who are passionate about housing and they are the ones who spearheaded this initiative,” said Rayes. “A lot of credit goes to them for being willing to try something new and innovative. I am not aware of another government in Colorado that has done something like this. There are a few nonprofits providing assistance, but for a municipal government to come up with something like this is pretty amazing. A lot of communities are looking to us to see how this unfolds.”
Alongside the rental assistance pilot program, Glenwood Springs Public Information Officer Bryana Starbuck said that the City is using a dynamic approach to address the multifaceted complexities of the housing crisis. Currently, renters can apply for deed-restricted rentals and housing choice vouchers, whereas potential homeowners can take advantage of the new down payment assistance program that helps buyers obtain housing with a low interest down payment loan. Additionally, the City has partnered with West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition’s Good Deeds program that assists with a down payment in exchange for a deed restriction. Rayes added that new programming will continue to roll out throughout the year.
“A lot of this comes down to quality of life and community,” said Starbuck. “We want people to live fuller lives in the Valley, and to do more than work and maybe sleep. We want them to participate in local government, volunteer, spend more time with their kids and be with friends to create this rich social fabric that makes Glenwood so special.”
Glenwood Springs employers have until Feb. 14 to apply for the Employer-Based Rental Assistance pilot program. To apply, visit cogs.us/841/Employer-Based-Rental-AssistanceTo learn more about the City of Glenwood Springs’ dynamic housing programs, visit www.cogs.us/839/Housing