Seeking Office / Grants Manager

The Regional Housing Alliance and La Plata Homes Fund are seeking candidates for an Office / Grants Manager. Applications are due June 28.
Click here for details.

Shortage of affordable homes and rentals is getting worse

Find out why and what can be done about it in the just-released La Plata County Housing Needs Study report.

The next Homebuyer Education Class starts July 11th.

To sign up for this free, 8-hour course held on the Fort Lewis College campus or to get more information, email marietta@rhalpc.org
Historically, the concept of providing affordable housing in La Plata County has been elusive…a lot of well-intentioned citizens and governmental agencies grappling with the problem, but having limited solutions in a continuous price-increasing market. The solution came, not only with the foresight of local governments to create the RHA, but also through RHA's strong board and highly focused director and staff.

Mynders Glover

About

About the RHA…
The RHA was created in 2004 to help families in La Plata County live in their community. We work with the local governments to create resources that will fill the gap between what families can afford and the price of houses on the market. The RHA is a multi-jurisdictional housing authority which leverages local dollars to increase available resources for housing in La Plata County. The RHA has been enabled by state statute to operate as a separate governmental entity in the State of Colorado.

The RHA’s target market is people living within La Plata County that earn less than 125% of Area Median Income ($78,000 for a family of four). The agency’s programs aim to increase resources for housing by filling the gap between what a family can afford and what product is on the market.

All RHA programs depend on successful partnerships with area organizations. Non-profit partnerships include: Housing Solutions for the Southwest, Habitat for Humanity, SW Center for Independence, Community Development Corporation, Colorado Housing Inc., Volunteers of America, and Mercy Housing among others. For-profit partners include builders, architects, developers, lenders, employers and real estate brokers among others.

The RHA’s funding entities are: La Plata County, City of Durango, Town of Ignacio and Town of Bayfield whose partnership is formalized in an Intergovernmental Agreement. These entities agreed to collaborate, share resources, and develop a comprehensive action plan for housing projects and programs throughout the County. They also govern the RHA through a Board of Directors whose members are appointed by each entity.

RHA’s Action Plan

1. Fair Share Programs

The RHA works with local governments to require development to include a percentage of resources for affordable housing.

2. Homes Fund

The RHA capitalizes an investment fund to provide mortgage assistance to families and acquire land for affordable development.

3. Land Development

Through public-private partnerships the RHA acquires land to develop affordable/attainable housing.

4. Homebuyer Assistance

The Homebuyer Assistance Program prepares homebuyers through a 9-hour homeownership classes, one-on-one counseling and mortgage assistance.

5. Policy and Education

The RHA assists with policy development, public education and market analysis to encourage affordable housing in La Plata County.
RHA Targets 2008-2011

Affordable/Attainable Targets in #of Homes & Rental Units(reserved for families up to 125% area median income)
RHA Activities
2008
2009
2010
2011
RHA assisted or sponsored land developments – homes for sale
25
25
30
30
RHA assisted or sponsored land developments – rental units
-
50
50
50
Fair Share housing programs/ordinances
15
30
30
30
RHA mortgage assistance program
25
20
50
50
Remove duplicates – mortgage assistance in assisted developments
(25)
(20)
(15)
(15)
Target for Families Assisted
71
105
160
160