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Breckenridge Backs Affordable Housing Initiative

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with SnowHome Properties

Affordable housing is crucial.  We are a resort.  We attract people who love to recreate here and who can afford second (or third or fourth) homes.  And in the process, we are squeezing our workforce, people who make all those recreational systems work, because they cannot afford to live here. 

In the other corner, we have the Summit County Housing Authority, an organization responsible for providing down payment assistance, housing classes, counseling for first time homebuyers, and works closely with our various communities to help bring some cohesion to the process.  And it has fought diligently to obtain regular funding.  Our towns have waxed and waned in their financial support, and the Authority has been forced to supplement its budget with grants and donations.  Hence, it is considering a ballot issue that would provide it with regular funding via a small sales tax increase.  The issue is critical and must be passed.

And yesterday, the Town of Breckenridge backed the proposal.  The Town of Frisco is also behind the proposal.  Incredibly, Dillon, Silverthorne remain undecided, and the Summit Association of Realtors is spending extra time "discussing" the matter.  I can't believe my own professional organization did not get behind this instantly.  So, it looks I will be doing a bit of lobbying.

Comments (3)

Ben Wiseley
Kirkland, WA
Very cool.  I lived in Keystone and Telluride for a while (and my cousin lives in Vail as a teacher) and left because, well, my VW bus just wasn't that luxurious  :)  (Actually - Keystone had great housing for employees).  Telluride had a good start - but there was a 2 year waiting list.
Jul 29, 2006 01:06 AM
Ann Marie Pedevillano
Prudential Florida WCI Realty - Englewood, FL
I think this is the case with many of our higher end markets. Naples Florida is a good example. They are having a hard time finding teachers etc because people can not find affordable housing. The Florida market grew so quickly and prices went up so high that it is hard finding service industry workers etc because they can't afford to live where they work.
Jul 29, 2006 04:19 AM
Ken & Mary Deshaies
SnowHome Properties - Breckenridge, CO
You are right.  It's not just a local problem, but endemic to resorts and other fast paced markets.  On the other hand, I hear that the Naples market has taken a serious dive.  Just like parts of California.
Jul 29, 2006 11:37 AM