- I will support eliminating single-unit zone districts as a means to increase housing options and employment options in Denver
- I will support more services aimed at preventing people from entering chronically unsheltered situations. No one should have to consider sleeping under a bridge a viable option.
- I will support improving access to walking, rolling, using transit, and biking through efficient land use. The city is moving towards increasing housing options closer to employment centers. I’ll work to continue that progress.
- I will support quality, safe, and attractive building standards by strengthening and maintaining a streamlined permitting and inspection processes.
- I will work with jurisdictions across the region to improve housing options so people will have the choice of living near where they work.
A growing Colorado population means increased housing and living costs.
I believe Blueprint Denver and the Denver Zoning Code should be amended to eliminate single-unit zone districts. Allowing accessory dwelling units throughout the city is definitely a step in the right direction. But eliminating single-unit zone districts will eliminate the confusion and give property owners the option to build a single multi-unit structure rather than two. Two separate units adds costs to the foundation, the drain lines, the water lines, etc. Approximately 75%-80% of Denver is zoned for single-unit buildings, but Denver needs housing diversity. New developments devoted to single-unit buildings result in increased housing costs in areas where local residents are most vulnerable to displacement. Eliminating single-unit zone districts creates more housing options for buyers and renters, which should bring down (or at least slow the increase of) housing costs.
As Denver’s population is expected to grow to 758,000 by 2030, according to the State Demographer’s Office, Denver must facilitate the construction of more housing units to prevent further displacement. Government assistance only goes so far when there isn’t enough housing for the current residents.
Current shortages with inspectors, construction workers, and truckers – along with the city’s funding gap – make it very unlikely the city will be able to build many affordable units in the next few years. Assisting with streamlining the procedures to create more units will lessen the burden on the city and give developers the opportunities to focus on the quality of the units rather than the quantity.
I believe more services should be available to prevent more people from entering a chronic unsheltered homelessness. We need to help people exit unsheltered homelessness and land in a safe housing environment. This means providing services to those who need them. I know people who have help cutting their grass and pulling weeds; or cleaning their gutters. Providing case management is the same principle. It assists with maintaining order. Fortunately, we have moved away from the large-scale sweeps of the early 2020s. I hope those days never come back.