The following list of recommendations has been identified by Mile High Connects to address the region’s housing challenges.
- Develop and implement an early warning system.
Mile High Connects proposes developing a system that alerts Mile High Connects partners when existing income-restricted housing developments are preparing to lift affordability restrictions and sell or rent the properties to higher income tenants. If armed with this information in advance, Mile High Connects and our affordable housing partners will attempt to purchase these properties to ensure that they continue to be affordable in the long-term.
- Preserve existing affordable housing near stations.
Mile High Connects will ensure that existing affordable housing options near transit stations remain intact and that more are developed as the transit system expands. Mile High Connects will accomplish this through a combination of property acquisition, affordable housing finance programs and collaboration with various state, regional and local agencies to incent preservation and development of affordable housing near transit stops.
- Enforce existing and enact new policies to promote affordable housing.
As municipalities update their housing plans, Mile High Connects will work to ensure that the revised plans address the full spectrum of housing options – including affordable housing for low-income, senior and disabled individuals – and are aligned local, regional and state affordable housing plans and resources.
- Expand the Denver TOD Fund to a Regional tool.
The Denver TOD Fund has been an effective tool in developing high-quality affordable housing in Denver. Mile High Connects believes the TOD Fund can have an equally positive impact in communities surrounding Denver. Therefore, we will work with local municipalities and agencies outside of Denver to structure an investment that will be leveraged 10+ times over with capital from local and national foundations, community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and banks.
