Affordable Housing
Amidst the national and statewide housing crisis, the ever-rising cost of living––from expenses like rent to groceries––are a top concern for Coloradans. Colorado ranks eighth in the nation for most unaffordable housing costs, according to research from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Addressing Housing (Un)Affordability in Colorado Through Targeted Tax Policy
Housing and Health
Home has always been a powerful word. According to studies published in the scientific journal Health Affairs, housing stability, quality, safety, and affordability all affect our health. Not only that, focusing policy solutions on housing can improve economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, and community well-being.
Together, these are known as the social determinants of health. For these reasons, CFI has partnered with housing and health advocates across the state to support the creation of a statewide affordable housing trust fund to ensure we address the growing housing needs of Coloradans.
Health Disparities Grant Program
In 2019, CFI joined our partners at Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, and the Colorado Balance of State Continuum of Care to address housing as an upstream determinant of health in order to develop a policy that identifies and establishes a statewide, dedicated funding source to increase affordable housing stock.
Through the 3-year Health Disparities Grant (HDGP), administered by the Department of Public Health and Environment, we conducted statewide polling in years 1 and 3, delivered statewide community engagement meetings based on the results of year 1 polls, surveyed participants of each community meeting to gain a more nuanced understanding of the housing issues affecting their area, and created and disseminated educational materials.
Based on the learnings and findings from this grant, a presentation is scheduled for state legislators in the summer of 2021. For more resources and information produced throughout the duration of this grant, please click here. If you’d like a housing infographic produced for your county, reach out to Esther Turcios at turcios@coloradofiscal.org.
Housing Videos
