Developing Innovative Housing Solution for Educators in Cortez, Colorado

Increasing cost of living has made Cortez less affordable for low- to middle-income earners, especially teachers. The school district has launched an effort to consider how best to deploy its resources, including closed or underutilized spaces such as the former Manaugh Elementary, to attract housing development that is affordable to members of the local workforce, especially teachers. LOR funded predevelopment work that will identify options—from developing existing assets to creating incentives for developers—and engage locals to understand community perspective. That work will help the school district land on a course of action that ensures it has the tools to unlock funding to launch new housing development for the local workforce.