DRCOG previews regional housing strategy, flags funding pathways and implementation steps

DRCOG staff on Jan. 7 updated the board on a draft regional housing strategy intended to implement Metro Vision’s housing goals across the 59‑jurisdiction Denver region.

Sheila Lynch, DRCOG director of regional planning and development, and Reagan Frew, senior planner, said the strategy builds on a regional housing needs assessment and advances five action areas: land use and zoning, infrastructure, development costs and market factors, funding and capacity, and community consensus and collective action. The strategy is intended to support, not replace, local efforts and to provide technical assistance and regionally scaled tools.

Tyler Bump, a consultant supporting the project, described a phased process: discovery (completed), strategy development (current), and implementation readiness (spring and summer 2026). Bump said DRCOG’s engagement included an environmental scan, steering and advisory groups, targeted interviews, workshops and public outreach. He said DRCOG is exploring implementation pathways, including a potential shared regional housing and infrastructure fund and cross‑jurisdictional partnerships to pool resources.

Commissioner Claire Levy (Boulder County) described Boulder’s cross‑jurisdictional housing partnership and a local affordable‑housing tax used to select projects across jurisdictions. Levy said the county’s partnership set a 12% permanent deed‑restricted affordable housing target and that a local tax now provides sustained funding. Levy noted this collaborative model was critical in obtaining voter support for local funding.

Board members asked for more clarity on ownership versus rental affordability. Nicole Spear asked whether the draft distinguishes rental affordability from homeownership opportunities; presenters said that level of detail remains under development and will be refined during the next advisory‑group meetings. The presentation emphasized that the strategy will move from goals and pathways toward specific, implementable tools, funding approaches and measures of readiness.

Why it matters: DRCOG’s regional housing strategy is intended to coordinate local efforts, align funding, and help jurisdictions meet new state action‑plan requirements while addressing preservation, production and affordability across income levels.

What’s next: Staff will return to advisory and steering groups in about six weeks to stress‑test strategies, continue engagement through spring and summer 2026, and refine an implementation plan that includes technical assistance for local jurisdictions.