Housing Opportunities

Housing

Housing access and mobility are among the most critical challenges facing Fort Collins and our residents. 

The current City Council's decision to give in to a vocal minority and resist expanding the Land Use Code has stalled meaningful progress. We must better align our housing policies with our city's growing and diverse needs—both now and in the future.

If elected, I will work with state legislators to reduce the negative impact of building deficits and excessive regulations. I will advocate for programs that:

• Allow CC&Rs to allow certain condominiums to owner-occupied units or immediate family members,

• Support the development of a partial underwriting system for liability insurance in low-income condo projects, which would enable more entry-level buyers and seniors to access homeownership.

These actions will promote housing mobility and create more inclusive options for Fort Collins residents.

Growth, Regulation, and the Need for Reform

Fort Collins has experienced constant growth and change over the 30 years I've lived here. Our community has always taken pride in being welcoming and inclusive. But over the past decade, many regulations and policies have made it harder for many residents to stay—and even harder for future generations to make Fort Collins their home.

Despite good intentions, recent council decisions have led to:

• The lowest level of accessible housing in decades,

• Development timelines that now exceed five years,

• And the departure of businesses that once called Fort Collins home.

It's time for our leaders to address the paralyzing impact of overregulation. We need a comprehensive system audit to remove unreasonable delays and costs that fail to produce the desired outcomes.

Encouraging Creative and Diverse Housing Options

Fort Collins must attract companies that embrace innovative and thoughtful design. We need housing solutions that meet the actual needs of our residents. By encouraging and incentivizing gentle density—such as cottage homes and clustered developments—we can create more opportunities for people to:

• Move into their first homes,

• Right-size their living arrangements after life changes,

• And age in place as seniors while maintaining our neighborhood's character.

Growth and density are not things to fear. If we don’t embrace some change, the children born here today may not be able to grow old here tomorrow.

The Power of Middle Housing

Ensuring an adequate supply of middle housing is key to Fort Collins’ long-term success. Middle-income earners contribute more per capita to our infrastructure needs than any other income group. They invest in small businesses, help us meet our environmental and transportation goals, and generate tax revenue that supports essential city services.

Middle housing provides:

• Stability for working families,

• Pathways to upward mobility,

• And the opportunity to build equity and community connections.

Reducing barriers to homeownership is one of the most important responsibilities of our city’s leadership. Housing is the foundation of a prosperous and inclusive Fort Collins.