Fort Collins Open Communities Collective

New States Law Protects Owners of Manufactured Homes

fcocc — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:34:44 +0000

Did you know that mobile home communities are an important part of the mix of low-income housing in Fort Collins? Yet, many park residents live in almost constant fear of being evicted for violating ambiguous and lengthy park covenants. Even thought you may own the home itself, the park can evict you. Their power comes from the you have to pay the moving costs but also for people who own a home built prior to 1976, by Larimer County Code, you can not locate it another park – you’re only option is to locate it on land you own.

See, owners of parks, many of which are large corporations located far outside of our community, are constantly trying to “cycle-out” older mobile homes to make way for newer double-wide homes that they can be charge higher fees.

The residents of the Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park in Boulder had enough of this, got organized and with the help of the Boulder City Council convinced State Senator Rollie Heath & State Rep. Dickie Lee Hullinghorst to introduce SB 10-156 in the Colorado legislature. In June of this year, Governor Ritter signed it into law, giving mobile home owners expanded rights. Here’s what it means:

- Requires homeowners to be given 60 days (up from 30) notice before removal.
- Guarantees homeowners being evicted a right to mediation.
- Guarantees residents the right to gather peacefully in common areas.
- Requires park owners to provide adequate water and sewer infrastructure to the utility pedestal or pad of the home.
- Requires park owners to give access to county or municipal governments in case of health or safety hazards.

Study finds 518 homeless in Fort Collins – The Coloradoan

fcocc — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:04:20 +0000

Study finds 518 homeless in Fort Collins
The Coloradoan
About a third of the people surveyed said they needed help finding affordable housing, while 31 percent said they needed help finding work. …

and more »

http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coloradoan.com%2Farticle%2F20100616%2FNEWS01%2F6160321%2FStudy-finds-518-homeless-in-Fort-Collins&usg=AFQjCNHdaOd-_P2nkrm7OtAjwroiRLX0Rg

Affordable housing proposed | coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan

fcocc — Mon, 31 May 2010 21:03:55 +0000

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2Fnews%2Furl%3Ffd%3DR%26sa%3DT%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww%2Ecoloradoan%2Ecom%252Farticle%252F20100531%252FBUSINESS%252F5310321%252FAffordable%2Dhousing%2Dproposed%26usg%3DAFQjCNGgGd2eMfuKFzu2r%5FWH60dpxlrREQ

Greeley apartment vacancies drop, rents rise

fcocc — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:27:21 +0000

Staff Reports,
Greeley renters are paying more than they ever have, as the foreclosure market and outside pressure continues to affect the local market, real estate officials say.

The foreclosure market, which is hitting another high in recent months, continues to drive people into the rental market, creating a tight supply, which is raising rents. In addition, higher rents in other northern Colorado areas are pushing people into Greeley, which is more affordable, officials say.

Apartment vacancies in Greeley fell to 6.9 percent during the first quarter of this year, falling from 2009′s first quarter rate of 8.4 percent, according to a report released today by the state Department of Local Affairs’ Division of Housing.

The report notes this year’s first-quarter vacancy rate of 6.9 percent for Greeley is the lowest since vacancies fell to 5.5 percent during the third quarter of 2008. It is the lowest first-quarter rate since 2002, according to a prepared release.

“Greeley’s multi-housing market is beginning to benefit from relatively strong housing and job markets in the Fort Collins and Loveland areas,” said Terrance Hunt, a principal with Apartment Realty Advisers, in the release. “Low vacancies in the Loveland and Fort Collins areas are driving renters to look for affordable alternatives in the Greeley area where they can find a short commute to many of the job centers in northern Colorado.”

Average rents in Greeley remain well below average rents in Fort Collins and Loveland where the average rents for the first quarter were $837 and $835, respectively, the release stated.

For more on this story, see Friday’s edition.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100520/NEWS/100529984/1002&parentprofile=1001&template=printart

Affordable housing gets more efficient

fcocc — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:31:09 +0000

Article Title:
Affordable housing gets more efficient

To view the contents on www.coloradoan.com, go to:
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201005110505/COLUMNISTS113/5110304