Dear Editor,

All affordable housing being built is subsidized housing. However, not all affordable housing is affordable, especially for those in the 30%-50% of the county AMI where the housing need is greatest. In 2009, I became the birth mother of the subsidized housing conversation for the Nederland community-at-large.

My primary focus has been senior housing. The first subsidized housing in Colorado was built in Nederland from a USDA - HUD grant. Six small subsidized Prime Haven senior apartments were built in 1988. Thirty-five years later, we still have only those same very outdated six small units.

Commissioner Matt Jones said, “We should keep our eye on the long- standing Boulder County goal of focusing development in cities and towns where urban services are provided.” I understand Matt Jones’ statement; however, to me it is paternalistic. Just like cats are not dogs, many towns aren’t like cities; especially in the western BOCO Mountains.

The development of subsidized housing in the cities of BOCO progresses along. However, as has always been, the needs of P2P residents are rarely, if at all, given much notice or fair due. We have to continuously be proactive advocates for acknowledgement, recognition, and actions. Boulder County Housing & Human Services - Services for Older Adults states they are focused on helping people live securely within their communities.

Nederland is land-locked in a bowl. Many small mountain towns don’t have the ability of infill development. There aren’t infill lots of a size in the town limits to support subsidized housing for our fixed income Elders, local workforce, and economically challenged families with children.

In addition to the lack of infill lots and land, due to HUD and investor qualifying factors and restrictions, BOCO Housing Authority’s ability to serve our need for subsidized housing is extremely limited. And, we are always at the mercy of BCHA. I’m in my 70s and have lived up here over half my life experiencing the pros and cons of living in a non-urban environment. The IGA that was temporarily extended is outdated, and fails to consider the balance of need(s) between BOCO and the P2P community-at-large.

In order to meet some of the need for subsidized housing for our local population(s), we need land to develop for subsidized housing through public-private partnerships, with priority given to P2P residents. Not a lot of land, just some for subsidized housing, unlike Indian Peaks subdivision and Caribou Ridge. As such, the current IGA needs to expire and a new one drawn up that’s a true and transparent balance that allows Nederland to annex land into the town for the specific goal of building subsidized housing in partnerships to meet the need of our fixed income Elders, local workforce, and economically challenged families with children.

It is yet another crisis our community has, and cannot wait another 34 years or even ten to take action on.

Atashnaa Medicineshield Werner

Nederland