Since the beginning of 2022, Western Colorado Alliance has been working on a campaign to determine how our region should allocate $10.4 million in funding from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), passed in 2021 by the Biden Administration to help states address the impact of COVID-19. During our ARPA campaign, we released a survey asking Grand Junction residents what our community’s top issues are. We shared these results with the City of Grand Junction’s ARPA Committee, and highlighted housing as one of our community’s top three concerns.

In addition to these results, the 2021 Grand Valley Housing Needs Assessment showed that over half of all Grand Junction renters are cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs. In response, we recently assembled a Western Colorado Alliance of Mesa County Affordable Housing Committee. With a 16% poverty rate in Grand Junction as of 2019 (six points higher than the national average!) and a shortage of more than 2,000 affordable units for those earning $25,000 or less, it’s clear that we have a housing crisis. What we need is more affordable housing — but what we’re getting is more high-end apartment buildings.

The Richmark development proposed for the former City Market location on 1st and Rood is a prime example. Of 256 proposed residential units, none are affordable for those with a household income of less than $70,000. Richmark is asking the Grand Junction City Council to waive fees in the amount of $2.4 million to begin development. Supporters say the project will lead to economic development, but economic development won’t be successful if it excludes lower-income residents. We see the potential to build a resilient and thriving economy by providing an excellent quality of life for everyone in our community.

As our region grows, it’s likely that more developers will attempt to create a real estate market that’s unaffordable for many Grand Valley residents. Our Affordable Housing Committee is working hard for equitable & affordable housing, and we would like to have you join us!

If you’re interested in joining our Affordable Housing Committee, please contact María Luiza Peréz Chavéz at maria@westerncoloradoalliance.org.