Grand Junction City Council Workshop on Draft Housing Action Plan – July 13, 2026

The Grand Junction City Council held a workshop on July 13, 2026, to review and discuss the draft Housing Action Plan (HAP), which builds on the Housing Needs Assessment presented in May 2026. The workshop focused on proposed objectives, strategies, and implementation priorities, with an emphasis on aligning the plan with council’s policy direction and fiscal realities.

Draft Housing Action Plan Presentation

• Root Policy Research presented the draft HAP, organized around four objectives: increasing housing supply; improving affordability and stability; preserving existing affordable housing; and strengthening implementation through partnerships, funding, and engagement.
• The presentation highlighted current challenges: rising home prices and rents, affordability gaps, and the need for nearly 7,000 additional housing units over the next 10 years. About 9,000 households in the city are cost-burdened (spending >30% of income on housing), including over 4,000 severely cost-burdened.
• Staff and consultants noted that market-rate development alone will not meet affordable housing needs, requiring continued public partnerships, incentives, and strategic investments.

Accomplishments from the Current Housing Action Plan

• Over 100 land use code improvements and expedited review processes for affordable housing.
• Approximately 725 housing units supported through city incentive programs since 2023.
• More than $55 million invested in local housing initiatives since 2004 (not including land contributions, staff time, or waived fees).
• Exceeded the state’s Prop 123 housing commitment: 588 qualifying units produced versus a required 374.
• The ADU program increased annual ADU construction by 88% (from 17 to 32 units per year) and reduced the time from planning to certificate of occupancy by 25% (from 299 to 228 days). ADU rents average about 60% AMI versus the community average of 76–80% AMI.

Council Discussion on Strategies

• Objective 1 (Supply-Side Tools): Council expressed high priority for continuing land use code changes, streamlining processes, and bolstering staff resources. Councilmember Kennedy raised the idea of co-living as a potential solution, but staff noted it is already permissible in some forms under the Home Act. Councilmember Stout emphasized that supply-side tools are low-hanging fruit but won't address deeper affordability without dedicated funding.
• Objective 2 (Demand-Side Tools): Councilmember Stout stressed that funding for direct assistance (down payment assistance, rental/utility aid, eviction prevention) depends on identifying sustainable revenue sources. Councilmember Nguyen suggested that a small voucher-readiness program could expand housing options for voucher holders.
• Objective 3 (Preservation): Council discussed manufactured home park preservation and the need to ensure livability. The proposed new action item of incentives for voucher readiness (e.g., minor unit repairs) was seen as potentially high impact.
• Objective 4 (Implementation): The council debated creation of a Housing Advisory Board. Several members (Mayor Lutz, Councilmembers Ballard, Stout) opposed, citing existing boards (Housing Authority, MCCUH, housing code task force) and limited staff capacity. Council did not support moving forward with this action item.
  • On funding: Councilmember Stout argued the plan must be honest about what can be achieved with current resources. City Manager Bennett noted the city faces a structural deficit and core service needs may take priority for any future tax measures. Council indicated that evaluating a dedicated funding source (e.g., a tax) should be a longer-term priority (3–6 years), not a near-term focus.
• Council generally supported continuing all strategies but asked staff and consultants to refine timelines based on funding realities, removing or deprioritizing actions that require new revenue until other city budget issues are addressed.

City Council Communication

• Councilmembers discussed a newspaper quote attributed to Councilmember Beilfuss regarding the Sustainability and Adaptation Plan. Councilmember Kennedy stated the quote was inaccurate and that the plan remains active. City Manager Bennett confirmed the plan has not been eliminated and is still being implemented through various initiatives. Council acknowledged the need for accurate public communication and agreed to a memo updating all council on the plan’s status.

Next Workshop Topics

• August 3: Reports on funding agreements for homelessness services (Catholic Outreach, Joseph Center, Hilltop) and discussion on local preference procurement.
• August 17: Norms of conduct training with CIRSA.
• August 31: Overview of budget process and financial policies.