Affordable housing is crucial to ensure that individuals and families can secure a safe, stable, and decent place to live. Without access to affordable housing, low-income households may be forced to live in substandard or overcrowded conditions, or may become homeless. Affordable housing programs can also provide economic benefits, such as reducing the financial burden of housing costs and promoting local economic development.
For households who make 80% of the area median income or less, Longmont-area housing has been out of reach since the early 2010s. We’ve taken several steps to help bridge this gap, including:
- Adjusting our inclusionary housing prices to reflect today’s realities
- Growing an attainable housing fund to help offset development costs
- Improving our development processes and updating our design standards to ensure flexibility
- Expanding our fee waiver incentives for attainable housing
- Working on deed restrictions to keep middle-income housing attainable
- Developing and adjusting policies on accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals
Resources
Below, we’ve listed several helpful resources for buyers, renters, homeowners and affordable housing partners. If you’re not sure where to get started, you can also check out our Housing Resources page for more information.
Fair Housing laws promote equal access to homeownership and rental housing opportunities
Fair Housing laws are fundamental to the values of our community. By protecting against housing discrimination, fair housing makes Longmont a stronger community and a better place to live, work, and play.
Under federal law, it is illegal to discriminate against any person under the protected classes: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Colorado State law adds the categories of marital status, creed, ancestry, and source of income.
Housing discrimination is illegal. Both state and federal laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on protected classes. Also, it is illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right. Visit the Fair Housing Information page for more information.
