Affordable Housing and Arvada

Our schools seem to have overly large lots. Perhaps the city could build small homes or condos on those lots to sell or rent.

Homelessness.

The plight of the homeless has so many varied reasons and situations for the individuals and families in such a dire situation. There are also negative community impacts in the areas or locations where congregation of the homeless takes place. One suggestion. My father during the Great Depression was in dire straights but joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was located in a camp in California with food, medical support, shelter and work in public lands building bridges, trails ,structures etc. needed in our national forests, wildlife areas etc. He was paid a very nominal amount but had healthy work doing things that were needed. He was always VERY appreciative in his later years of this opportunity where he was able to stabilize and secure a job. Why not turn to this approach where homeless voluntarily sign up or possibly are "sentenced" to go if they engage in illegal activity where they are sent to a camp modeled after this approach. They would be taken from areas in cities and such where their presence causes issues with little or no prospects and then have the opportunity to contribute and have an adequate living situation. Yep this would take government dollars but these camps would just have to be far less expensive to run than shelter and housing construction and development in urban areas and their location in rural public lands doing healthy physical work might certainly attract volunteers to assist in running and staffing the camps. AND there is now a huge backlog of work needed in our National Parks, monuments, forests, etc. where government funding has not been sufficient to keep up with infrastructure and other needs. Could be a win win approach building on something that worked well many years back and thus might be better positioned to be sold to politicians. Look up CCC camps. There is quite a story about them and their success during the Great Depression.

Create a new Type D Accessory Dwelling Unit classification

There is a substantial under-utilized resource of older rental and owner occupied housing occupied one elderly resident. Current land development code, building code and their permiting requirements discourage creation of affordable ADU's. City staff should prepare a report for a Council workshop discussion that provides the maximum amount of flexibility for increased use of this resourse by housing owners at the minimum cost, consistent with mimimum health and safety requirements. A new Type D classification would be only for remodeling work internal to an existing structure, (no plot plan, no additional parking , owner-occupied or separated HVAC requirements) but requiring separate, secure entrances to each household living area. Separate mail boxes are required and HOA approvals, if applicable. This new classification would provide an additional option for building owners to provide the most affordable housing.

Encouraging sustainable housing that uses little energy such as solar, energy conserving construction, xeriscaping, reduces costs over time.

One of the most important things we can do is to produce housing where affordability is measured and constantly increases over time and that can be done by designs and construction that reduce energy use, reduce water use, reduce waste, and provide alternative means of low cost transportation thus reducing those costs for families and households leaving more money for housing costs.

Innovative Housing Summit

Aurora recently held an Innovative Housing Summit showing an array of housing models & info on housing & homelessness. It would be great for Arvada to follow suit. Close to Home can help to set this up (info@closetohomeco.org). Everyone needs a safe place to call home!