RESOLUTION 10-94

Declaring That The Grand Junction Area Has a Demonstrated Need for Affordable Housing

WHEREAS, the 1990 Census revealed that there were at that time 6,000 families in Mesa County who were eligible for, but not receiving, housing assistance, and over 8,350 families who had a housing problem which included severe cost burden, over-crowding, and/or physical inadequacy, and

WHEREAS, Mesa County's population has increased approximately 7% since the Census data was collected in 1989 / 1990, to 100,000 in 1993, and

WHEREAS, the State Demographer's Office indicates that Mesa County and the Western Slope have led the state in job growth for 12 years, and predicts that the trend will continue through 2020, and

WHEREAS, the average selling price of a single family home in Mesa County has increased by 55.5% since the Census data was gathered, from $54,285 at the end of 1989 to over $84,425 at the end of October, 1993, and

WHEREAS, rental rates in Grand Junction have increased steadily during this same time period, increasing by an average of 11% between July 1992 and July 1993, and

WHEREAS, while the need for affordable housing has grown steadily since 1990, only slight gains in affordable housing have been made in Mesa County since 1990 to accomodate the needs of families in the lower income levels, and

WHEREAS, the lack of safe, decent, affordable housing has a detrimental effect on families, neighborhoods, and on the community as a whole.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION:

That the Grand Junction area has a demonstrated need for affordable housing, and that community actions to address this pressing need should be encouraged.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1994.

ATTEST:            APPROVED:

/s/ Stephanie Nye /s/ Reford C. Theobold

City Clerk            President of the Council