News & Updates
Oak Street Rentals Project digs into State funding
04/11/2024
We are excited to share that our River Walk Rental Project in Ouray (sketch drawings below - which were recently approved by the Ouray Planning Commission of this 13 unit affordable rental project) received a full funding request from the State's More Housing Now initiative, of $297,450 - whoop!
The funding, through the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), will be applied to our rental project in three ways:
Water/Sewer Tap Fees: $195,000
Building Permit Fees: $43,750
Construction Document Creation: $58,700
Please join us in sending big thanks to the City of Ouray for their assistance on securing this funding: to Silas Clarke for assisting in writing the application and Ethan Funk for helping to present the application to DOLA in their grant application session in Manitou Springs.
Learn more about the More Housing Now Initiative.
Our Park Side Duplex homeownership program is going vertical!
Nothing like a lovely spring day to celebrate big dreams coming into fruition…big thanks to On Sight Construction crew for their hard work!
03/21/24
New Year Funding Announcements - Start the Year With a Bang…
01/11/2024
We like to share our funding success with our supporters to help assure you that we are working hard to grow our impact and our organization. Below are 3 such recent successes...
Happy New Year to Affordable Housing! Home Trust was just awarded $350,000 from the Division of Housing for our Ouray 6-plex at 734 4th Street. This grant funding will be used to pay down our $500,000 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) bridge loan we secured to purchase and preserve our Ouray 6-plex as affordable housing last spring.
Additionally we received a $50k award from the Division of Local Affairs (DOLA) Nonprofit Infrastructure program! We are proud of receiving this as the competition was intense throughout the state, and the opportunity was a true one-off capacity-building program to likely not be offered again.
And we were awarded a $10,000 grant from El Pomar Foundation for general operating support through the Colorado Assistance Fund (CAF), launched in recognition of the workforce shortages, inflationary pressures, declining donations, economic uncertainty, staff burnout, and prolonged public health concerns affecting nonprofits and government agencies across Colorado.
Home Trust is so grateful for all of this funding that recognizes the importance of funding smaller organizations, in all corners of the State, that are working hard to build their capacity and fulfill their missions.
HTOC Funding Announcements
12/13/2023
The Colorado State Housing Board awarded Home Trust of Ouray County a $100,000 grant for construction costs of the North Laura Street Duplex construction project.
Western Colorado Community Fund granted $5000, through the Dave and Mary Wood Fund, and another $3000, through the Ouray County Community Fund, to the Home Trust (ED Andrea Sokolowski pictured above accepting the OCCF grant award last week) for general operations. Thank you WCCF!
And, Ouray Chamber of Commerce awarded $3000 in funding, also toward Home Trust's general operations. We so appreciate this recognition of our impact within the City of Ouray.
We are truly proud of our team for bringing impactful funding from local, regional and State sources!
Home Trust Annual Meeting Announced
11/25/23
Wednesday December 6th, 5:30 PM - Ridgway Town Hall Community Room
Please join us for our final meeting of 2023! Meet the Board, learn about our 2023 progress, our current projects and funding needs, and share your ideas and input...
Home Trust Announces Rentals and Commercial Facility Stakeholder Input Sessions
11/01/23
You are Invited:
Thursday November 9th, 1 - 2.30 PM
Ridgway Town Hall Community Room
Or
Wednesday November 15th, 1 - 2.30 PM
Region 10 Colorado,145 S Cascade Ave, Montrose, CO
The Home Trust, in partnership with Colorado Humanities, invites you to a conversation on potential usage of its affordable rental project that includes around 3400 square feet of ground floor commercial mixed-use space on 660 Sherman Street in Ridgway.
In this conceptual phase of the project, we would love your input, as well as to understand if you have any potential need for commercial space in Ridgway.
Our goals for the conversations include:
Understanding the existing commercial space needs of our current business and service providers
Exploring what businesses and services will be the best fit for the community in this new commercial space
Connecting with those businesses and service providers who are interested in potentially partnering with Home Trust on this project
The Home Trust’s vision is to create an inclusive and economically diverse community, that includes supporting nonprofit and community businesses that are needing housing as well.
RSVP to: community@hometrustoc.org
Home Trust…Breaking Ground…
10/18/23
We are so excited about our successful Parkside Duplex Groundbreaking Ceremony that took place yesterday - launching this affordable housing project was so exciting and it felt wonderful to have so many supporters turn out. It takes a community…!
Big Thanks to:
Patrick and Marti O’Leary for donating the land for this project
The Funders who helped bring this project to fruition:
Beanstalk Foundation
Janice Fritsch at the Kenneth King Foundation
Western CO Community Foundation
Ouray County Community Foundation
Telluride Foundation
San Miguel Power Association
Ridgway Ouray Community Council
ALL of the Local Donors
Project Supporters:
Town of Ridgway
The Division of Housing
Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans
Home Trust Staff and Board of Directors
Parkside HOA
And for taking us into the Construction Phase:
NuVista Credit Union
Clint Estes with On-sight Construction
Home Trust Hits Channel 5 News
10/10/23
Channel 5 News aired a story on City of Ouray, with an emphasis on Ouray's housing crisis. Home Trust Board Secretary Marc Hitchcox was interviewed regarding the housing crisis in the region and Community Outreach Director Kelly Goodin responded with some of the projects the Home Tour is pursuing to address the issues…
Second Annual Home Tour a Success!
10/05/23
We loved the 2nd Annual Home Tour so much! So many people to thank for their generous support - from our presenting sponsor Alpine Bank to our list of sponsors who helped us to raise over $20,000 for our affordable housing projects!
Thank you homeowners for opening your extraordinary homes! Thank you vendors and musicians for providing such amazing food, music and energy. Thank you board members and volunteers for allowing it all to flow smoothly. And thank you guests for joining us and having so much fun with us! We look forward to growing this event again next year (October 6th, 2024 - Save the Date!)…
CHFA to provide support for HTOC Project
9/20/23
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority has selected Home Trust’s Ridgway Childcare and Rentals project for CHFA’s small-scale technical assistance program. The next step will be a scope of work meeting with the TA team but we are looking at utilizing their assistance with stakeholder outreach meetings to determine the use of the ground floor commercial space to best benefit the community, conceptual design with community input, and financial modeling.
Additional affordable housing project “groundbreaking” news…
Home Trust is closing on our construction loan with NuVista Credit Union for our Ridgway duplex on October 3rd with ground breaking still on the table for mid-October. We will be announcing the ground breaking date shortly!
Proposition 123 to Benefit Ouray County
8/16/23
HIf you are interested in affordable housing, you may have heard of Proposition 123. This bill was approved by Colorado voters in 2022 and sets aside a portion of annual state income tax revenue from the General Fund, up to 0.1% of annual taxable income, for affordable housing programs. The annual amount available is estimated to be roughly $300 million. Funds will be distributed through grant and loan programs that are still being developed as of fall 2023.
Organizations are only eligible for this funding if their project or program take place in municipalities, counties, or tribes that have committed to increasing their affordable housing stock above a baseline amount. The following organizations qualify:
Non-profits
Community land trusts
Private entities
Local governments
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) requires each jurisdiction to determine its baseline amount of affordable housing, and commit to increase that amount by 9% over three years.
The Town of Ridgway and Ouray County have already filed their commitments, and the City of Ouray is planning to file its commitment before November 1, 2023.
Visit the DOLA Proposition 123 website for more: https://engagedola.org/prop-123
Thanks to County Commissioner Jake Niece for preparing this summary.
Preservation Funding Award
7/15/23
Home Trust of Ouray County was selected to participate in the Preservation Next Colorado Academy Cohort and will utilize a $65,000 grant to build the organization's capacity to preserve affordable housing.
The funds are being directed toward staffing, capacity consulting, and contracting a grant writer to pursue additional funds toward the restoration/rehabilitation of the Ouray 6-plex, repayment of the bridge loan used to acquire the Ouray 6-plex, and future preservation efforts.
We are so grateful for this support which will better position us to achieve our mission of creating and preserving affordable housing in Ouray County!
Preservation Funding Award
7/15/23
Home Trust of Ouray County was selected to participate in the Preservation Next Colorado Academy Cohort and will utilize a $65,000 grant to build the organization's capacity to preserve affordable housing.
The funds are being directed toward staffing, capacity consulting, and contracting a grant writer to pursue additional funds toward the restoration/rehabilitation of the Ouray 6-plex, repayment of the bridge loan used to acquire the Ouray 6-plex, and future preservation efforts.
We are so grateful for this support which will better position us to achieve our mission of creating and preserving affordable housing in Ouray County!
County Leadership Behind Home Trust Affordable Housing Efforts
6/20/23
The Board of County Commissioners approved a $100,000 grant for the Home Trust last week, again showing strong support for our efforts (this is in addition to the $100,000 funding toward our Ouray 6-plex purchase).
This latest funding will be used to leverage a matching grant from DOLA for infrastructure improvements for the 6-plex and the Home Trust's Ouray Oak Street Rentals project (14 rental units).
Please remember to thank our County Commissioners for their support of these projects!
Home Trust In the News with Another “First”
5/11/2023
The Ouray County Plaindealer published an article this week regarding the Home Trust's purchase of the six-unit apartment building in Ouray. The article noted the Home Trust’s impetus of the purchase was to preserve it in an effort to keep the tenants — who work in local businesses and some who have lived there for decades — in their homes and to keep the rent affordable long term. As noted by Home Trust executive director Andrea Sokolowski: “If this is sold to, potentially, an investor, these local workforce tenants will be displaced, and you might as well subtract those units from the new upcoming affordable housing that’s being built.” The article also noted that the purchase made the Home Trust the first community land trust in the state to manage rental properties.
Home Trust Project selected by Senator Hickenlooper
4/21/2023
The Home Trust received good news from Helen Katich, Senator Hickenlooper’s Western CO Regional Director, that Senator Hickenlooper has chosen our Childcare and Rentals project in Ridgway to be included in the draft bill going before congress for congressionally directed spending. It won’t be until December when Congress would vote on the final spending draft so it’s neither guaranteed that we will get the funding we requested nor will it be very soon. But regardless, the good news is Senator Hickenlooper chose our project!
If we are funded, the Ridgway Childcare and Rentals project would receive $960,000.
Closed on the Ouray 6-plex
3/29/2023
We closed on a 6 unit apartment building in the city of Ouray. Many thanks to our partners who helped us preserve existing affordable housing: the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, DOLA, the city of Ouray, Ouray County, and our local community members who donated to this project! We were awarded a $350,000 grant by the state housing board to apply to the acquisition of this project. These units will continue to provide affordable rentals to households below 80% AMI.
2023 Operating Funds, Local Government Board Representation, and the Purchase of a Ouray Property
1/25/2023
All three local governments have agreed to contribute $20,000 each for a total of $60k to the Home Trust for 2023 operational funding. These operating funds were approved by the Home Trust Board to be used to hire Andrea Sokolowski as its full-time Executive Director.
The Board has also added a representative from each of our local governments: Josh Smith for the city of Ouray, Preston Neill for the town of Ridgway, and Jake Niece for Ouray County.
And the Home Trust closed on our second property: 1505 Oak Street on January 25, 2023. Funds to purchase the property were obtained through the DOLA Operation Turnkey Loan program. This property is slated to be affordable rentals.
Enterprise Community Partners Preservation Cohort
1/9/2023
The Home Trust was accepted into Enterprise Community Partner’s Preservation Next Academy Cohort. This opportunity includes training for preserving affordable housing, a $50,000 grant, and an additional $15,000 in technical assistance.
Noel Night and Grant Awards
12/22/2022
Home Trust board members, Shirley Diaz and Marc Hitchcox handed out cookies and chocolates in the Space to Create community room for Ridgway’s Noel Night. It was a great community engagement opportunity.
On December 12th, the Beanstalk Foundation awarded the Home Trust $16,000 for the construction of the Parkside duplex. And on December 22nd, the Home Trust was awarded $50,000 from the Gates Family Foundation ($25,000 for two years) for general operating and start-up needs.
Ouray County Community Fund Grant Award and Purchase of Ridgway Property
11/18/2022
The Home Trust was awarded a $5000 grant from the Ouray County Community Fund for the construction of the Parkside duplex - our first homeownership project.
We also closed on 660 Sherman Street on November 18, 2022 thanks to Frank and Jeanne Robertson. Funds to purchase the property were obtained from DOLA’s Operation Turnkey loan program. The Robertsons generously offered a discount on the sales price. The property is slated for a mixed-use project that includes affordable rentals, a licensed childcare center, an office for the Home Trust, and commercial space.
Happy Halloween from the Home Trust!
10/31/2022
Inaugural Home Tour Event & Fundraiser
10/2/2022
The inaugural Home Tour last Sunday was a fantastic success and a ton of fun! Together we raised over $18,000 between our sponsors and 100 attendees. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported affordable housing in Ouray County and special thanks to our sponsors who made this event successful.
Thank you to our homeowners for opening your homes:
Arno Grether
Paul and Rudy English
April and Mark Orgren
Pam and Bob Larson
Kentee and Tim Pasek
And to our volunteers Carolyn Ford, Jen Donovan, Sandra Boles, Anthony Martinez, Jessica Frigetto, Dee Williams, Brie Hotz, Jake Niece, and Andrea Sokolowski. Thank you Aaron Wilcox Photography for advertising photography, The Wright Opera House for their support in coordinating this event, and to the Ouray Housing Advocates.
Drinks:
John Wood with KJ Wood Distillers
Sauvage Spectrum Wine Lounge
Food:
Sara Sharpe
Amber and Danielle with Manor House and Sauvage
Erin and Trevor with the Artisan
Heather with Mojo’s Coffee
Music:
Jim Sinclaire
Cory Zimmerman
Polly and Dave with Old Man Polly
David Nunn
39th Annual Ourayce 10k Hosted by the Home Trust
7/4/2022
The Home Trust of Ouray County hosted the 39th annual Ourayce 10k this year. Thank you to the volunteers who made the race possible, and particularly Nancy Nixon. We also thank the Ouray Police Department and everybody who registered and purchased T-shirts.
Results: https://ultrasignup.com/m_results_event.aspx?did=94025
Department of Local Affairs Awards Home Trust Loan for Land Acquisition
4/27/2022
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) awarded the Home Trust a bridge loan for the purchase of land at 660 Sherman Street in Ridgway for its proposed Ridgway Childcare Facility and Rental Housing development. The $360,000 loan comes from the State and Local Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Operation Turn Key 1329 Housing Development Grant.
The Home Trust also submitted a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request to Senator Hickenlooper’s office in order to pay off this bridge loan, cover closing costs, install infrastructure, and perform other site preparation at 660 Sherman. Because these funds, if granted, rely on the action of the United States Legislature, timing is uncertain. The only timeline available is that a decision should be made sometime before September 30, 2023. The Home Trust is aggressively pursuing other state and federal funding opportunities concurrently.
The three-floor development is being planned with the ground floor consisting of a purpose-built childcare space, an outdoor playground, one ADA accessible apartment, and commercial space. The second floor is planned for five two-bedroom apartments, and two one-bedroom units. The third floor is planned for six two-bedroom apartments. There will be a total of fourteen rental units for income-qualified residents, enforced and managed by the Home Trust.
Operating Funds Granted by County, Town, City
4/22/2022
All three local governments contributed $10,000 each for a total of $30k to the Home Trust for operational funding. Ouray County on April 5, Town of Ridgway on April 13, and the City of Ouray on April 18. These operating funds were approved by the Home Trust Board to be used to hire Andrea Sokolowski as its Executive Director. The Board also elected Jake Niece as the new Board President.
Seeking Operating Funds
3/9/2022
The Home Trust of Ouray County is currently composed of all volunteer board members, and our volunteer Executive Director, Andrea Sokolowski. Managing construction projects, negotiating land purchases and donations, grant writing, and administering the “Homebuyer Opportunity Fund” are all currently being done pro bono.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible charitable contribution to Home Trust operational funding, click the donate button in the top right hand corner of your screen.
Homebuyer Opportunity Fund
3/1/2022
The Home Trust of Ouray County has recently become the administrator of Ouray County’s Homebuyer Opportunity Fund. This fund will assist qualified homebuyers with purchasing an affordable home in Ouray County. The initial funds are earmarked for four specific deed-restricted units in the town of Ridgway however the Home Trust is campaigning to the grow the fund to $250,000. We will announce here on our website when we begin taking applications for this fund.
DOLA Turn-Key Funding
2/15/2022
The Home Trust of Ouray County has applied for land acquisition funding through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Operation Turn-Key program. The two properties, one in Ouray and one in Ridgway, will provide rental and homeownership opportunities as well as an integrated child care facility. The Home Trust’s goal with this funding is to line projects up for the next four years.
Laura Street Duplex Progress
1/31/2022
In December 2021 the Home Trust of Ouray County received its first land donation thanks to Patrick and Marti O’Leary. The duplex lot is located in the Parkside subdivision in the town of Ridgway. We have partnered with Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans to be our general contractor and we are working with Impact Development Fund on architectural plans and construction financing. A soil survey has been scheduled for the spring. Our partnerships allow us to substantially reduce the cost of building and financing, and provides trusted subcontractors familiar with building affordable housing.
Determination of IRS Tax Exempt Status
11/18/2021
The Home Trust is officially a tax-exempt organization under IRC Section 501(c)(3) .
Build Day with Habitat For Humanity
9/7/2021
Some Home Trust Board members helped out with a Habitat for Humanity build day in Ridgway. We look forward to partnering with Habitat on future projects.
Welcome to the Home Trust of Ouray County!
1/18/2021
We are happy to announce the launch of this website. New updates will appear here and through the mailing list when they become available.