To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources
Prepared By:
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Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources
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presenter
Presenter: Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources
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Subject:
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2:30 PM *Rental Assistance and Affordable Housing Program Approach
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
This study session is being held to provide information to the Board of County Commissioners on the planned approach for Arapahoe County’s Rent and Mortgage Assistance program and the Affordable Housing Program, should ongoing funding be allocated for the purposes of these programs in 2026.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Economic Resilience and Stability - Maintain and improve affordable housing initiatives, including housing preservation and homeownership support.
Background and Discussion: During the 2024 General Election, Arapahoe County voters approved ballot measure 1A, which grants the County the ability to remove certain revenue and spending limits imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). This approval allows Arapahoe County to collect, retain, and spend revenue that exceeds the limitations outlined in Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution. With this new flexibility, the County now has a unique opportunity to invest in long-term fiscal sustainability, improve service delivery, and address critical needs
On May 6th, 2025, Community Resources presented to the Board of County Commissioners on the existing needs and priorities for continued programming in the Department related to 1A. This presentation included the identified need and request to continue Arapahoe County’s Rental Assistance and Mortgage Assistance program as well as to expand upon our affordable housing program. This session provided information and identified operational gaps and current levels of service for the Community Resources department. Following this presentation, the Board of County Commissioners provided a follow up question to the department related to the capacity for the department to implement the identified programs in 2026.
Community Resources has formalized the requests to continue and expand these programs through the 2026 budget process. This study session is intended to inform the board of the planned implementation of Housing Stability Services in the County as well as the Affordable Housing Expansion Program, should these be funded through the 2026 budget process. This is an informational session, intended to secure alignment in program direction.
This presentation will outline the plans to integrate current programs (Rental Assistance and Housing Navigation services) into one comprehensive program, Housing Stability Services. Housing Stability Services will combine immediate financial assistance (Arapahoe County Rental and Mortgage Assistance) with personalized case management from Housing Stability Coordinators in order to overcome barriers and achieve long term self-sufficiency.
This presentation will also outline plans to develop a 10-year strategic housing plan, that will identify housing needs and opportunities throughout the county, providing a roadmap for development and preservation of housing. This plan will help to drive decision-making and prioritization of the Arapahoe County Affordable Housing Expansion Program funding. The initial plans for the Affordable Housing Expansion Program, through the Arapahoe County Housing Authority, will be further detailed as well to include planned uses and outcomes.
Alternatives: The Board of County Commissioners could propose alternative ideas for implementation of these programs, should they be approved.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact at this time. All presented program plans are dependent on the approval for program funding through the 2026 budget process.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: The attached framework helps Arapahoe County institutionalize values-based, transparent decision-making, documenting how we make decisions and carry out actions to achieve the county’s strategic plan.
Staff Recommendation: Community Resources staff recommend the Board of County Commissioner’s support the planned programming as outlined in this presentation, should it be approved through the 2026 budget process.
Concurrence: N/A