Denver’s housing crisis demands action – the “God’s Backyard” bill offers hope (Opinion)
The COVID- pandemic intensified a housing problem defined by skyrocketing prices and a severe lack of supply Denver was not spared According to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors median home and condo prices surged by between March and April peaking at an unattainable price for a multitude of prospective homeowners This situation has disproportionately affected communities of color Due to the long legacy of discriminatory practices like redlining which denied mortgage insurance in or near Black neighborhoods Black Coloradans are now less likely than white Coloradans to own a home Fortunately Colorado s political leadership including Sen Tony Exum the Legislative Black Caucus and Gov Jared Polis recognized that this disparity cannot continue They ve taken meaningful measures to incentivize housing construction aiming to reduce costs and increase supply And the early signs are promising by the end of March nearly condos and single-family homes were for sale in the Denver metro area a increase from the previous year These gains are encouraging but more work is needed First we must better utilize the land we already have especially in communities that need housing the the majority House Bill introduced this year is a step in that direction Known as the Yes in God s Backyard bill it allows faith-based organizations and educational institutions such as school districts colleges and universities to build housing on their own vacant lots which are often restricted by outdated local zoning laws HB cuts through red tape enabling these institutions to expand their community-focused missions while unlocking new opportunities for affordable housing expansion across the state Yet particular legislators whose districts would benefit preponderance have shown reluctance They need to hear from those of us committed to creative effective solutions Once land access is improved we must be strategic about the types of housing we build Denver necessities new apartments annually to meet demand and ease costs However over three-quarters of residential zones are dedicated to single-family homes the least efficient and majority of expensive housing type to build and maintain While single-family homes remain the traditional ideal we must embrace multifamily housing options such as apartments duplexes and condos These allow for more units in high-demand areas and more attainable price points for working families If Colorado is serious about solving its housing emergency compact inclusive and efficient advance must be part of the answer Related Articles Transgender athletes should not be allowed to play with girls in Colorado sports Opinion Here s why Colorado s transgender athletes should be allowed to compete with high school girls Opinion Marrero doesn t deserve an early DPS contract renewal especially not shrouded in secrecy Opinion Colorado hospitals profit from a prescription drug discount undertaking We should know how much Opinion Trump s chaos threatens bus rapid transit projects in Denver Opinion Another promising piece of provision introduced this year is House Bill which would modernize Colorado s building codes to allow apartments designed around a single central staircase Current standards require two staircases per building usually at either end of a long hallway for urgency egress HB would permit single-staircase designs in communities with strong fire protection capabilities aligning Colorado with building practices already safely used in New York City Seattle Honolulu Western Europe and Asia This change would allow builders to design more space-efficient buildings with larger units that still meet safety requirements particularly beneficial for families and cost-conscious developers alike We are making meaningful strides toward ensuring that all Denver families can access affordable suitable housing The legislative proposals introduced this year build on previous progress by reducing restrictions to evolution expanding the types of housing we build and updating outdated regulations Denver s housing predicament didn t emerge overnight and it won t be solved overnight But with strong legislative leadership and society advocacy we can move toward a future where every family has a fair shot at a safe and affordable home Bianka Emerson is president of the Colorado Black Women for Political Action a member of the State of Colorado Environmental Justice Advisory Board and a longtime locality activist Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns editorials and more To send a letter to the editor about this article submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail
