In the Works: Elbert County’s Housing Needs Assessment Project

Independence subdivision Elbert County, CO

Elbert County has teamed up with a third-party consultant to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA). This project is tied to the County Comprehensive Plan and is currently underway and set to be complete by November 2022.

Inventory is one of the main drivers for this project, and this assessment comes during an especially relevant time since the housing component of the Comprehensive Plan hasn’t been updated since 2008. Once it’s concluded, it will be the first step leading toward a full housing master plan.

The HNA will play an important role in County and local government policies when it comes to planning and development while retaining Elbert Country’s rural character. It will also play a helpful and important role in the more market-driven private sector – both when it comes to housing as well as the development of new businesses.  

“We are excited to further analyze the housing market in the County and uncover opportunities that will benefit the full spectrum of consumers,” says Marc Dettenrieder, Elbert County’s Economic Development Manager. “We know the inventory is primarily geared toward the single-family home with limited options for entry point customers, seniors, and workers. This assessment will help local leadership with planning and policy decisions along with a reference point for developers to map out future projects.”

The County’s HNA is being funded by grants from both the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). This project is a collaboration between the County government and the County’s incorporated towns (Kiowa, Simla and Elizabeth) as well as its unincorporated communities (Elbert, Agate and Matheson).