Windsor Gardens Life

May 2021 Page 21 From Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer, Denver City Council District 5 Many of us would agree that the most pressing issue facing our city today is how tomake housingmore affordable for moreDenverites. The implications and outcomes of accessible affordable housing impact us all, regardless of our personal ability to pay for housing. A vibrant, smooth-running city is welcoming to, and in fact relies on, a population of varied backgrounds. Importantly, more affordable housing options would mean fewer people experiencing homelessness in Denver, and less stress on our public and private safety nets, which benefits us all. In 2020, Denver’s Community Planning and Development (CPD) launched the “Expanding Affordability Project” with a focus on creating a citywide zoning incentive. As part of Denver's overall strategy to provide more and better housing opportunities for all residents, this project aimed to create new tools and improve existing ones to address residents' growing housing needs. In early 2021, CPD expanded the project to include an update to the City's linkage fee and to address potential changes to state law, which currently limits what affordable housing Denver can require developers to build. Over the last few months, the Affordable Housing Zoning Incentive Project has shifted gears to include more tools, along with zoning, to help address our housing needs. CPD is partnering with the Department of Housing Stability (HOST), and the new Expanding Affordability Project will now involve: a citywide zoning incentive that would allow projects to build taller buildings if more affordable units are included, an update to the City's linkage fee, which requires all new development to either include affordable housing or pay a fee that supports Denver's affordable housing fund, and City Council District 5: Expanding Housing Affordability Benefits Us All potential changes to state law on "inclusionary housing," which refers to requirements that cities can establish for new for-sale or for-rent developments. Currently, state law puts strict limits on what Denver and other cities statewide can require.  CPD says, “This particular project will develop tools to encourage the construction of affordable and mixed-income housing across the city. New housing where people can live near jobs, transit and the services they need will help address housing demands and create a more sustainable Denver.” When I ran for office, I made a commitment that I would keep a sharp eye on the issue of development in Denver, because it matters very much to you. While our city will continue to grow, we must be thoughtful about development and ensure that what’s being built enhances and benefits our community. I believe that the “Expanding Affordability Project” is the way to achieve that goal and look forward to implementing these changes to our laws. Planners began community outreach in early spring 2021 to explain how these tools will fit into Denver's overall housing strategy. Thank you to everyone who attended the virtual Southeast Denver Elected Officials Town Hall on March 25, which our office hosted in partnership with other elected officials from southeast Denver about this subject. Visit denvergov.org/affordabilityincentive for additional project information and to learn more about why affordable housing matters to all of us. Visit DenverGov.org/housing to learn about other initiatives currently underway. Asalways, feel free tocontact our officeat denvercouncil5@denvergov. org or 720-337-5555 with comments or questions. Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter and updates at  bit.ly/Council5News.