There has been a lot of discussion regarding the upcoming Ballot Question A, which will appear on the Town’s April 5 ballot. There is also a lot of misinformation regarding it. One of the questions we hear most often is whether there’s a plan is for the money this will generate. That is a fair question and I hope I can help answer it.
But first I think it is necessary to briefly go over again what the proposal is and who it affects, just to put this into context. This proposal would put a per bedroom fee on certain short term rentals (STR) within the Town of Pagosa limits. It does NOT affect any property outside of town limits. The funds raised from this fee would go into a fund that could be spent only on projects that would provide housing for the workforce in the town of Pagosa Springs — for people like teachers, police officers, nurses, cook, waiters and waitresses housekeeping and janitorial staff.
The Town has already approved a number of projects that provide workforce housing with more on the horizon for 2022 that are already earmarked for work force housing. More information on those projects can we found on the Town of Pagosa Springs website. Let’s be clear, this is NOT “affordable housing”, which is usually designated for low-income families. Workforce housing is not federally subsidized housing. These are rentals that should rent at rates equal to 80%-120% of ‘median incomes’ in our community.
The funds raised by Ballot Question A would augment the workforce housing fund the Town has already put in place so it would be used exclusively for those projects that are relevant to providing housing and programs for working individuals and families. Specific terms and conditions will ensure that individuals and families qualify for Town-supported authorized workforce housing. None of the revenue generated will be spent on projects that are not related to workforce housing.
The town has already created a job position to manage the revenue stream Ballot Question A will generate.
The need for workforce housing here has never been greater and the availability of housing that our workforce can afford has never been worse. The solutions to this crisis are many and diverse. Numerous plans and proposals have already been conceived and presented; some have been dropped and some are in review and some are moving forward. But most of the solutions require funding of some type, and so far, our elected leaders have not come forward with a permanent, dedicated funding source aimed at fixing a broken housing market.
As for specific plans for the funds, the Town has an official 54-page plan for housing, and anyone interested in a more detailed answer should contact the Town of Pagosa Springs for a more complete list of what is coming up, and when.
Gary Hardin
Pagosa Springs, CO
The Pagosa Daily Post welcomes submissions, photos, letters and videos from people who love Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Call 970-903-2673 or email pagosadailypost@gmail.com