Arapahoe County takes long-term approach to affordable housing shortage

Arapahoe County approved two partnership agreements to preserve existing affordable apartments and to build new family units, with officials expecting renovations and unit transitions to add capacity over the next two years.

Arapahoe County is pursuing a long-term approach to address a shortage of affordable housing, citing links between housing challenges and homelessness. County leaders say the strategy combines investment in existing affordable homes with new construction. In January, county commissioners approved two partnership agreements intended to preserve and create additional affordable units. County housing staff expect renovations and unit transitions to occur over the coming two years. Key facts: - County commissioners approved two partnership agreements in January to preserve and create affordable housing within Arapahoe County. - At the Reserve at South Creek in Englewood, developers will preserve 69 affordable apartments and convert 99 market-rate units to serve households under 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). - A separate development on Colfax Avenue in Aurora will add 147 new family apartment units serving households earning between 30% and 70% of AMI. - County officials reported 725 people experienced homelessness in the county in 2025, and local groups such as Giving Heart Englewood provide meals and basic services while helping connect people to housing resources. Summary: The agreements aim to both preserve existing affordable units and add new ones, with county staff expecting changes to be implemented through renovations and unit conversions over the next two years. Officials presented these steps as part of a longer-term effort to reduce housing instability and homelessness in the county.