EVERYONE IN CLEAR CREEK COUNTY DESERVES A CLEAR PATH HOME

Join our Community-Led Affordable & Attainable Housing Initiative

So often when it comes to housing and development, people only acknowledge what they don’t want - what they say ‘No’ to. This is your chance to make your voice heard. Take the following survey and tell your local leaders and elected officials what you ‘Say Yes’ to.

7 questions. 2 minutes. Completely anonymous. And you can help shape the future of housing in your community.

And if you are willing to share more, there are 17 additional questions that will take 5-8 minutes to complete that will help us understand housing patterns in Clear Creek County better - and measure community sentiment toward possible solutions.

What is the MJHA?

Everyone who lives or works in Clear Creek County can see firsthand the challenge of housing affordability that we face.

A Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Authority, or MJHA, is a possible solution.

Formation of an MJHA is currently under consideration, and would include representatives from Clear Creek County, Idaho Springs, Empire, Georgetown and Silver Plume working collaboratively to expand housing choice and affordability. A local MJHA would function as an action-oriented, inter-governmental resource hub for housing guided by grassroots community input and engagement.

An MJHA would be designed to answer the question: “How do we move from understanding Clear Creek County’s housing needs to addressing them effectively?”

The complex issue of housing requires more than just building houses! Whether you own or rent your home, an MJHA would be a one-stop shop for housing resources and referrals as well as support to navigate local land use processes and housing-related programs.

MJHA priorities could include:

• Encouraging new funding for housing through public/private partnerships and outside investment in the area;
• Implementing programs that support housing through renovation, down payment assistance, weatherizations, and homebuyer education;
• Better managing deed restrictions, local zoning laws, land agreements, property tax incentives, and rental housing;
• Developing new incentives that preserve existing housing and create new affordable homes.

Housing is a foundational part of economic development, health, education and stability for our entire community. By aligning interests, working together, and measuring success based on real-world impact, we can ensure that our efforts result in housing being preserved and improved, homebuyers and renters accessing direct assistance, and new resources flooding in to build the homes of tomorrow.

“We want to build the kind of community that families can thrive in.”
George Marlin, County Commissioner District 1

“We want to find a clear path to a home for everyone.”
Randy Wheelock, County Commissioner District 3

“If you can get affordable housing anywhere in the county, it benefits all of us.”
Lynette Kelsey, Georgetown Police Judge

• The average home price in Clear Creek County was $577,686 in 2023.

• The average Clear Creek County worker needs to work 73.3 hours to pay for housing.

• Clear Creek County has an affordable housing shortfall of 40%.

• According to Clear Creek County employers, 49% of their employees commute from outside of the county.

• Rent for a two-bedroom home in Clear Creek County is $1,860/month - 30% above the national average.