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Strategic Housing Plan

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Consultation has concluded

The Strategic Housing Plan was adopted by City Council on February 12, 2024 as a guiding framework to address affordable housing in Lakewood over the next five to 10 years. City staff, with support from Gruen, Gruen + Associates, developed the plan based on robust data, valuable input from the community, interviews with housing and service providers, and consultation with Lakewood’s Housing Advisory Policy Commission and City Council.

View the final plan and appendices in their entirety.

The plan includes four broad strategies and accompanying action steps:

  1. Invest in affordable housing
  2. Expand overall affordable housing supply
  3. Expand housing choices and services for residents
  4. Keep residents stably housed

Implementation of the Plan will require collaboration among housing policymakers, city staff, developers and property owners, and nonprofit housing partners.

Project Background

Housing affordability has become a major challenge across the nation. Historically, Lakewood has been a relatively affordable housing market, but now residents are facing rising housing costs that have only been exacerbated by a tight Colorado housing market, COVID-19 pandemic, and inflation. As of 2022, the average sale price for a home in Lakewood was approximately $733,000 and the 2022 average rental price is rising to $1,891. Approximately 60 percent of all Lakewood renters and 20 percent of all Lakewood homeowners are paying more than 30% of their annual income on housing costs, which is considered unaffordable by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Strategic Housing Plan is funded by a grant from the Colorado State Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The grant is part of House Bill 21-1271 and DOLA’s Affordable Housing Planning Grant Program. 

The Strategic Housing Plan was adopted by City Council on February 12, 2024 as a guiding framework to address affordable housing in Lakewood over the next five to 10 years. City staff, with support from Gruen, Gruen + Associates, developed the plan based on robust data, valuable input from the community, interviews with housing and service providers, and consultation with Lakewood’s Housing Advisory Policy Commission and City Council.

View the final plan and appendices in their entirety.

The plan includes four broad strategies and accompanying action steps:

  1. Invest in affordable housing
  2. Expand overall affordable housing supply
  3. Expand housing choices and services for residents
  4. Keep residents stably housed

Implementation of the Plan will require collaboration among housing policymakers, city staff, developers and property owners, and nonprofit housing partners.

Project Background

Housing affordability has become a major challenge across the nation. Historically, Lakewood has been a relatively affordable housing market, but now residents are facing rising housing costs that have only been exacerbated by a tight Colorado housing market, COVID-19 pandemic, and inflation. As of 2022, the average sale price for a home in Lakewood was approximately $733,000 and the 2022 average rental price is rising to $1,891. Approximately 60 percent of all Lakewood renters and 20 percent of all Lakewood homeowners are paying more than 30% of their annual income on housing costs, which is considered unaffordable by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Strategic Housing Plan is funded by a grant from the Colorado State Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The grant is part of House Bill 21-1271 and DOLA’s Affordable Housing Planning Grant Program. 

Consultation has concluded

Consultation for this project has concluded. 

  • Share When will the updated Strategic housing plan be available? on Facebook Share When will the updated Strategic housing plan be available? on Twitter Share When will the updated Strategic housing plan be available? on Linkedin Email When will the updated Strategic housing plan be available? link

    When will the updated Strategic housing plan be available?

    KerW asked about 1 year ago

    The Strategic Housing Plan is now moving forward to City Council review and will be discussed at an upcoming City Council study session on December 18. Starting on December 8, a draft of the plan will be available both on the Lakewood Together project website and in the City Council’s December 18 agenda packet on LakewoodSpeaks.org. You will be able to provide written comments to City Council about the plan on Lakewood Speaks until December 18.   

    Thank you for your question,

    Project Team

  • Share Where can I find the latest draft of the Strategic Housing Plan? on Facebook Share Where can I find the latest draft of the Strategic Housing Plan? on Twitter Share Where can I find the latest draft of the Strategic Housing Plan? on Linkedin Email Where can I find the latest draft of the Strategic Housing Plan? link

    Where can I find the latest draft of the Strategic Housing Plan?

    FranAS asked over 1 year ago

    Hello,

    Staff is currently finalizing a new draft of the plan, which is incorporating changes and updates suggested by the community and the Housing Policy Commission. A tentative date of October 16 has been set to have a study session with City Council to discuss the new draft of the plan. The plan will be posted on LakewoodSpeaks.org, where you will be able to review the updated plan and provide public comment to City Council at that time.

    Thank you,

    Project Team

  • Share Hello, I believe the public is misled to believe that the city of Lakewood is making decisions on what will happen to Jeffco Public School properties. It would be great if someone can make a public announcement to settle the conversations. on Facebook Share Hello, I believe the public is misled to believe that the city of Lakewood is making decisions on what will happen to Jeffco Public School properties. It would be great if someone can make a public announcement to settle the conversations. on Twitter Share Hello, I believe the public is misled to believe that the city of Lakewood is making decisions on what will happen to Jeffco Public School properties. It would be great if someone can make a public announcement to settle the conversations. on Linkedin Email Hello, I believe the public is misled to believe that the city of Lakewood is making decisions on what will happen to Jeffco Public School properties. It would be great if someone can make a public announcement to settle the conversations. link

    Hello, I believe the public is misled to believe that the city of Lakewood is making decisions on what will happen to Jeffco Public School properties. It would be great if someone can make a public announcement to settle the conversations.

    rtmclads@gmail.com asked over 1 year ago

    Hello, 

    The city is not involved in the decisions regarding the school closures so it would not be appropriate for the city to make a statement. JeffCo Public Schools will determine the best use of their properties. More information about their process can be found online. 

    Project Team

  • Share I just downloaded the Lakewood Strategic Housing Plan yesterday. I have read it but though it said I could respond through 6/30 when I got online to do so around 9pm, it was already closed. I am so pleased to learn about this planning, and it's high quality! How can I engage hereafter? My main concern is to see more senior housing options for purchase, not rental. Single level, single dwelling options on smaller plots than the minimum 5,000 sq ft plots needed to subdivide a duplex currently. on Facebook Share I just downloaded the Lakewood Strategic Housing Plan yesterday. I have read it but though it said I could respond through 6/30 when I got online to do so around 9pm, it was already closed. I am so pleased to learn about this planning, and it's high quality! How can I engage hereafter? My main concern is to see more senior housing options for purchase, not rental. Single level, single dwelling options on smaller plots than the minimum 5,000 sq ft plots needed to subdivide a duplex currently. on Twitter Share I just downloaded the Lakewood Strategic Housing Plan yesterday. I have read it but though it said I could respond through 6/30 when I got online to do so around 9pm, it was already closed. I am so pleased to learn about this planning, and it's high quality! How can I engage hereafter? My main concern is to see more senior housing options for purchase, not rental. Single level, single dwelling options on smaller plots than the minimum 5,000 sq ft plots needed to subdivide a duplex currently. on Linkedin Email I just downloaded the Lakewood Strategic Housing Plan yesterday. I have read it but though it said I could respond through 6/30 when I got online to do so around 9pm, it was already closed. I am so pleased to learn about this planning, and it's high quality! How can I engage hereafter? My main concern is to see more senior housing options for purchase, not rental. Single level, single dwelling options on smaller plots than the minimum 5,000 sq ft plots needed to subdivide a duplex currently. link

    I just downloaded the Lakewood Strategic Housing Plan yesterday. I have read it but though it said I could respond through 6/30 when I got online to do so around 9pm, it was already closed. I am so pleased to learn about this planning, and it's high quality! How can I engage hereafter? My main concern is to see more senior housing options for purchase, not rental. Single level, single dwelling options on smaller plots than the minimum 5,000 sq ft plots needed to subdivide a duplex currently.

    Lanay James asked over 1 year ago

    Thanks for your interest in the Strategic Housing Plan. Public comment closed at 5 p.m. on June 30. Although you didn’t officially provide your comment during the comment period, we have noted your comment here. Please sign up for notifications on the project website, and you will be notified of any future engagement opportunity.

    Thank you,

    Project Team

  • Share This plan does not mention our existing zoning that allows for horses. This is very important to a lot of us, and rare in the metro area and we can't lose it. Do you intend to remove our rights to horses, or protect this historical and cultural significant part of our city? on Facebook Share This plan does not mention our existing zoning that allows for horses. This is very important to a lot of us, and rare in the metro area and we can't lose it. Do you intend to remove our rights to horses, or protect this historical and cultural significant part of our city? on Twitter Share This plan does not mention our existing zoning that allows for horses. This is very important to a lot of us, and rare in the metro area and we can't lose it. Do you intend to remove our rights to horses, or protect this historical and cultural significant part of our city? on Linkedin Email This plan does not mention our existing zoning that allows for horses. This is very important to a lot of us, and rare in the metro area and we can't lose it. Do you intend to remove our rights to horses, or protect this historical and cultural significant part of our city? link

    This plan does not mention our existing zoning that allows for horses. This is very important to a lot of us, and rare in the metro area and we can't lose it. Do you intend to remove our rights to horses, or protect this historical and cultural significant part of our city?

    AnonnyNonny asked over 1 year ago

    The Strategic Housing Plan will not change zoning and agricultural accessory uses such as horses or other animals. 

    Thanks for your question, 

    -- Project Team

     

  • Share Don’t have a question, just a comment. I live in Glennon heights and I’m all for turning old school buildings into affordable housing. on Facebook Share Don’t have a question, just a comment. I live in Glennon heights and I’m all for turning old school buildings into affordable housing. on Twitter Share Don’t have a question, just a comment. I live in Glennon heights and I’m all for turning old school buildings into affordable housing. on Linkedin Email Don’t have a question, just a comment. I live in Glennon heights and I’m all for turning old school buildings into affordable housing. link

    Don’t have a question, just a comment. I live in Glennon heights and I’m all for turning old school buildings into affordable housing.

    Blah asked over 1 year ago

    Hello, 

    Thank you for your comment! JeffCo Public Schools will determine the best use of their properties. More information about their process can be found online. 

    Project Team

  • Share When will the City Council be reviewing this Plan? on Facebook Share When will the City Council be reviewing this Plan? on Twitter Share When will the City Council be reviewing this Plan? on Linkedin Email When will the City Council be reviewing this Plan? link

    When will the City Council be reviewing this Plan?

    FranAS asked over 1 year ago

    Hello, 

    City Council will review the Plan for adoption at the July 24, 2023 meeting. 

    Thank you,

    Project Team

  • Share what is ADU? on Facebook Share what is ADU? on Twitter Share what is ADU? on Linkedin Email what is ADU? link

    what is ADU?

    CherylB asked over 1 year ago

    Hello, 

    An Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU is a secondary housing unit created on a lot with a single-family home. The diagram below shows what an ADU can look like on a lot (the ADU is shaded in blue).An Accessory Dwelling Unit is shown in three separate diagrams. The first diagram shows an ADU as a basement or upstairs addition. The second diagram shows the ADU as an addition on the back of the home. The third diagram shows the ADU as a detached structure in the backyard of the lot.

    Thank you for your question. 

    Project Team

  • Share What is the City of Lakewood doing to get the survey to low-income people in the area? on Facebook Share What is the City of Lakewood doing to get the survey to low-income people in the area? on Twitter Share What is the City of Lakewood doing to get the survey to low-income people in the area? on Linkedin Email What is the City of Lakewood doing to get the survey to low-income people in the area? link

    What is the City of Lakewood doing to get the survey to low-income people in the area?

    Sophia asked almost 2 years ago

    Hello,

    Thank you for your question. The project team is working with local nonprofit service providers, Metro West Housing Solutions, Jefferson County Public Health and others, to spread information about the Strategic Housing Plan and survey. The project team has also conducted small one-on-one stakeholder interviews with select Lakewood residents that represent low-income and special needs populations and will be conducting outreach to Lakewood’s unsheltered population who are not likely to take the survey. In April, we will be hosting an in-person open house and housing resource fair. That event is being planned now and will include extended outreach to all Lakewood residents, including low-income and vulnerable populations.

     We are continuously exploring ways to reach all Lakewood residents and we are open to any suggestions you may have about helping us spread the word about the plan. Please email the project team at ShaTer@lakewood.org.

     

    Kindly,

    Project Team

  • Share Iam curious if the strategic housing plan study will seek remedy to red tape of constructing more housing. It is a problem, big big problem, everywhere not just lakewood. People do not want more housing after they have it, for variety and obvious reasons. And people control the government and its red tape. I hope the city will be bold and create opportunity to build more housing. Will the strategic study plan examinate this dillema? Is crazy to think more housing can not be constructed- everywhere i see space to construct - but the will is not there? Housing should be to precede problems known from 1000 years ago (water, crime, community). Lakewood can meter the water for less, it cannot create more housing from the thin air. on Facebook Share Iam curious if the strategic housing plan study will seek remedy to red tape of constructing more housing. It is a problem, big big problem, everywhere not just lakewood. People do not want more housing after they have it, for variety and obvious reasons. And people control the government and its red tape. I hope the city will be bold and create opportunity to build more housing. Will the strategic study plan examinate this dillema? Is crazy to think more housing can not be constructed- everywhere i see space to construct - but the will is not there? Housing should be to precede problems known from 1000 years ago (water, crime, community). Lakewood can meter the water for less, it cannot create more housing from the thin air. on Twitter Share Iam curious if the strategic housing plan study will seek remedy to red tape of constructing more housing. It is a problem, big big problem, everywhere not just lakewood. People do not want more housing after they have it, for variety and obvious reasons. And people control the government and its red tape. I hope the city will be bold and create opportunity to build more housing. Will the strategic study plan examinate this dillema? Is crazy to think more housing can not be constructed- everywhere i see space to construct - but the will is not there? Housing should be to precede problems known from 1000 years ago (water, crime, community). Lakewood can meter the water for less, it cannot create more housing from the thin air. on Linkedin Email Iam curious if the strategic housing plan study will seek remedy to red tape of constructing more housing. It is a problem, big big problem, everywhere not just lakewood. People do not want more housing after they have it, for variety and obvious reasons. And people control the government and its red tape. I hope the city will be bold and create opportunity to build more housing. Will the strategic study plan examinate this dillema? Is crazy to think more housing can not be constructed- everywhere i see space to construct - but the will is not there? Housing should be to precede problems known from 1000 years ago (water, crime, community). Lakewood can meter the water for less, it cannot create more housing from the thin air. link

    Iam curious if the strategic housing plan study will seek remedy to red tape of constructing more housing. It is a problem, big big problem, everywhere not just lakewood. People do not want more housing after they have it, for variety and obvious reasons. And people control the government and its red tape. I hope the city will be bold and create opportunity to build more housing. Will the strategic study plan examinate this dillema? Is crazy to think more housing can not be constructed- everywhere i see space to construct - but the will is not there? Housing should be to precede problems known from 1000 years ago (water, crime, community). Lakewood can meter the water for less, it cannot create more housing from the thin air.

    Emendoza82 asked almost 2 years ago

    Hello,

    Thank you for your question. The city itself cannot build affordable housing and relies on community partners, builders, and developers to do so. The plan is undergoing a housing analysis to determine the future housing needs and will identify strategies to create more housing options for residents, which may include reducing barriers or incentivizing the construction of affordable housing.

     

    Kindly,

    Project Team