La Plata Count Housing Needs Assessment Overview
The Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) was commissioned by the Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County (RHA) to better understand housing needs in La Plata County—including market changes since the 2020 regional assessment.
The results of this HNA will assist the RHA in developing strategies to help address housing needs throughout the county.
Why Work to Address Housing Needs?
Research consistently shows that a constrained housing market negatively impacts economic growth while stable and affordable housing are central to the health of individuals, families, and communities.
Households living in stable housing are more likely to spend their incomes in the local economy through direct spending on goods and services.
Housing investments that allow workers to live near their place of employment can reduce the impacts of traffic and commuting.
Affordable housing is key to providing high quality public services as many essential workers (e.g., doctors, nurses, and teachers) often leave communities that do not have an adequate supply of housing in their price range.
Generational wealth from affordable home ownership is a major contributor to positive outcomes for children. As housing and equity are passed down, young adults have the option to remain in the community and have families of their own.
Housing investments and stable housing environments also bolster local revenue, increase job readiness, help renters transition to homeownership, lower public costs of eviction and foreclosure, and increase the economic and educational opportunities for children.