SUMMIT COUNTY—Summit County announced the continuation of its “County 101” series of events with a public forum on housing strategies focused on middle-income earners in rural Colorado communities. The event will take place at 11am on February 27^th, at the Summit County Senior and Community Center in Frisco.

“Housing the Missing Middle” will feature a panel of housing experts in policy and development, including members of Governor Jared Polis’ administration, affordable housing developers, and Summit County Housing Director Jason Dietz. The event will also include a gallery featuring projects from around Summit County, with staff on hand to answer questions about local workforce housing initiatives and efforts to mitigate Summit County’s housing crisis.

“If we’re going to lead the way with local solutions, we can’t ignore middle-income earners in this State,” said County Commissioner Tamara Pogue. “Summit County is ground zero for the housing crisis, but it is where innovation and collaboration has proven successful,” she added.

Middle-income earners, those who make between 80 and 140% of area median income, don’t qualify for many affordable housing programs, but do not have a high enough income to rent or buy a homemarket rate housing.

Discussion topics will include:

• Land use in the rural resort community: Finding balance and the right fit for resort towns
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), including Summit County’s newest plan library concept
• Financing and tax incentives
• Adaptive re-use strategies, success stories in Summit County
• Middle Income Access Program (CHAFA)
• Inclusionary zoning
• Other strategies to increase the stock of middle-income housing 

Panelists will include representatives from CHAFA, the Colorado Department of Housing and more. The event is free to attend, and a light lunch will be provided.