AFFORDABLE
HOUSING NOW
CAMPAIGN
$50,000 Matching Challenge
Boosts Home Trust’s $1.4M
Affordable Housing NOW Campaign
A Heartfelt Thank You to Western Colorado Community Foundation: $50K Challenge Met & Completed!
We are deeply grateful to the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) for their extraordinary $50,000 matching challenge, made possible through the Bruce Dixson Fund and the Dave and Mary Wood Fund.
Because of their generosity, every donation made to this campaign was matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000—doubling the impact of each gift and helping us move significantly closer to our goal.
The NOW Campaign Continues...
As of November 20, we have reached 63% ($874,000) of our $1.4M Affordable Housing NOW Capital Campaign. This ambitious effort is designed to advance affordable housing and housing-related resources in our community.
With a successful campaign, we will:
- Build new affordable homes
- Preserve and renovate existing properties
- Expand housing-related community resources
These investments will strengthen the long-term stability, economic diversity, and overall resilience of Ouray County—ensuring that the people who make our community vibrant can continue to call it home.
Campaign Goal
The Home Trust has launched an ambitious funding campaign to advance affordable housing and housing-related resources in our community. Through a combination of private, foundation, and state funding, we will build new homes, preserve and renovate existing properties, and provide community resources. This will provide the resources necessary to foster an economically diverse and thriving community.
Community members fundraising for HomeTrust.
$1.4M
$16.7M
43 Homes
5 Community Services
The $1.4M capital campaign goal (which represents approximately 8% of the combined total $16.7M in project costs, with the remainder sourced primarily from outside of Ouray County) will position us to secure substantial state and grant funding. These larger funding opportunities require demonstrated community support. Local contributions will be crucial in unlocking these additional resources and ensuring the success of this transformative initiative.
Community Impact
The Home Trust’s successful preservation acquisition of the 6-plex at 734 4th Street is a heartwarming story that changed lives. When the property went on the market, there was a real possibility that a market-rate buyer would not maintain the affordable rents, putting all 16 of the long-term residents and integral members of the City’s workforce at risk of displacement.
Home Trust successfully purchased the property in the spring of 2023, ensuring that all the residents could remain living there on affordable leases. Additionally, Home Trust is actively working to secure funding for much-needed renovations to the 50-year-old property.
The Home Trust buying this property was life-changing for us all. It allowed us to stay here. I knew I would have to leave the state if I lost my home, which is the last thing I would want to do. This has been my home for almost 30 years. Everyone who lives here works in Ouray and it would have been impossible them to afford to stay in Ouray. We would have lost our homes and our jobs. I know it’s hard for businesses to find workers, and it would have hurt the town too if we had all left.- 6-Plex Resident
My family and I are incredibly grateful for the vision and implementation of the Home Trust of Ouray County. From those who donated the land to the builders and contractors who poured their hearts and souls into this project, thank you for making our dreams come true!! Prior to this opporuntiy, I was facing having to leave my teaching job and move my family out of the the County, due to the mounting pressure of the cost of housing. This would have devastated our family, but HTOC delivered more than a home, they delivered understanding, compassion, and humanization. Thank you HTOC!!- HTOC Homebuyer
Testimonials
Affordable Housing in Ouray County
Response to Need
Home Trust works to ensure that income-qualified individuals and families, especially those who work in essential industries such as healthcare, education and tourism, have access to affordable homes. As Ouray County's housing market continues to be driven by high demand and limited supply, many local residents face increasing challenges to find housing that fits within their budgets.
Home Trust believes that a strong, vibrant community is built on the foundation of stable housing. Through innovative development strategies, community partnerships, and careful planning, Home Trust is committed to preserving the diversity of Ouray County by offering affordable housing solutions that benefit the entire region.
Accomplished BY...
- AFFORDABILITY- Providing opportunities for low and moderate-income individuals and families to secure affordable housing.
- QUALITY - Through renovations, preserving the quality of affordable housing for future low and moderate income-qualified residents of the community.
- PRESERVATION - Securing and protecting current community housing stock as affordable for generations to come.
- SUSTAINABILITY- Developing land in an environmentally & socially responsible manner.
- STEWARDSHIP- Creating and maintaining community assets in perpetuity.
The Missing Middle
Home Trust’s target population is the “missing middle” category of households making anywhere between 60% to 120% area median income (AMI). According to a Region 10 affordable housing study, “orientating development towards these middle-income workforce households is difficult, as these households are unable to afford the ever-increasing cost of market-rate home ownership and rents, yet receive no relief from tax credits and vouchers such as those targeted for households earning below 60% AMI.
The gaps in production, affordability, and skilled labor all contribute to a cycle that exacerbates the problems of the Western Slope’s missing middle housing market.
The Challenge
- Displacement of Families & Community Members
- Closing Businesses
- Disconnected Community
- Uncertain Future
Addressing The Challenge
NEED: According to the Region 10 Mind the Gap Study (Jan 2023), Ouray County will require 270 housing units by 2032 to meet the demand for the general workforce.
TARGET: Of these 270 units, 150-175 (serving approximately 400 people) will be needed to address the needs of the “missing middle” (120% AMI and below).
IMPACT: The projects Home Trust is working to fund will help achieve nearly one-third of the affordable housing target for the "missing middle."
GROWTH: By 2028, Home Trust’s affordable housing portfolio is expected to expand from 8 to 43 units, benefiting approximately 130 people.
HTOC AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS
Affordable Homeownership Program
Our Homeownership Program helps low and moderate-income residents of Ouray County achieve the dream of owning a home. Through a combination of subsidized mortgages, grants, and donations we make homeownership accessible to those who might otherwise be priced out of the market. Our homes are designed to be energy-efficient and affordable.
Affordable Rental Housing Program
Home Trust also provides affordable rental housing options for income-qualified individuals and families who need stable, affordable housing in Ouray County. We work with local property owners and general contractors to build rental housing which we price below market rates. Our rentals serve a range of households, from seasonal workers to seniors on fixed incomes.
Housing Preservation & Renovation Program
In addition to building new affordable homes, Home Trust is committed to preserving and rehabilitating existing properties in Ouray County. Through our Housing Preservation Program, we work with homeowners to acquire properties below market rate. Later we make renovations and upgrades that improve the safety and energy efficiency of the homes. This initiative ensures existing residents and local workforce can remain in their communities, while also strengthening the overall stock of affordable housing.
Housing Services
With a proven track record of coordinating and collaborating with local governments, Home Trust has the organizational structure and capacity to expand its services to offer a variety of housing-related solutions for the community, including deed restrictions, property management, housing development, and program creation and delivery.
Expanding operations capacity
Home Tour 2024
Beyond Volunteer Capacity: In addition to raising the necessary funds for the construction, acquisition and renovation of affordable housing and housing-related resources, this campaign is focused on continuing to support operations and growing our staff to ensure the long-term success of our housing initiatives. With an increase in demand for affordable housing and a commitment to addressing this need sustainably, it’s critical to strengthen our operations to support these efforts.
General Operating and growing our staff
- In growing our staff we will be expanding our team’s expertise in project management (which will be essential for the breadth of our Sherman Street project), property management, and tenant support services to provide the best care and service for our residents.
Additionally, we will be strengthening our outreach efforts in building partnerships with community members, stakeholders, local businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations to collectively enhance our impact.
This holistic approach will maximize the impact of every dollar raised, creating lasting, positive change for the families who call this community home.
Timeline:
2025Funding Need:
$210,000
CAMPAIGN FUNDING SUMMARY
Make an IMpact
in perpetuity
Supporting this funding campaign is an investment in the future of Ouray County. These projects will benefit not just the first 130 residents to call our projects home, but future generations as well. As a Community Land Trust, our properties are secured as affordable housing in perpetuity, ensuring that your donations have a lasting impact on shaping our community. Together we can make a meaningful impact and ensure that Ouray County remains a welcoming, inclusive, and affordable community for all.
community effort
By supporting Home Trust's affordable housing projects, you help provide a path to homeownership for local families, create rental opportunities for residents in need, and contribute to the long-term vitality of Ouray County. Supporting our efforts helps us move closer to a community where everyone - regardless of income - has the opportunity to live, work, and thrive in the place they call home.
Parkside Groundbreaking
contribute today For a better future
Invest In ourcommunity’s future
how To support this campaign today:
- Mail a check (address below)
- Make a donation of stock - we can assist with the simple process.
- Make a multi-year pledge
- Contact us about other funding options that may interest you.
Legacy Recognition for Project Contributions
Riverwalk Rentals
Naming of the Apartment Complex - $100K
Ouray Triplex Preservation Project
Naming of building - $100K
Sherman Street Community Building
Naming of:
- Multi-Use Complex - $100K
- Child Care Center - $75K
- Outdoor Community Area - $50K
- Playground - $50K
Legacy Plaques
Sherman St. Community Building
- $1K - Inclusion on community plaque
- $5K - Small plaque
- $10K - Medium-small plaque
- $24K - Medium plaque
- $50K - Large plaque
- $100K - XL plaque