Recent Projects
Solutions that fit the people and places of the West.
The Colorado Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) Guidelines were developed to provide communities across the state with comprehensive tools for understanding and addressing housing needs under SB 24-174. This legislative initiative aims to increase transparency and consistency in local housing planning by requiring standardized needs assessments statewide. The effort was a collaboration between Western Spaces, WSW Consulting, Economic and Planning Systems (EPS), Root Policy Research, and Urban Rural Continuum, ensuring that the methodologies could adapt to the diverse needs of Colorado's communities.
The project established guidelines for local and regional housing needs assessments, offering direction on analyzing demographic trends, economic conditions, housing markets, housing problems, catch-up and keep-up housing needs, displacement risk, and water supply needs. The HNA methodologies were designed to accommodate Colorado's diverse regions, economic conditions, and data availability, enabling both large and small jurisdictions to accurately assess housing needs and develop targeted strategies.
The team conducted extensive outreach with local governments, service providers, consultants, and special interest groups to gather input that refined the methodologies and ensured an inclusive approach.The resulting HNA Guidelines are now being used statewide, offering clear, actionable guidance that empowers local governments to conduct effective assessments, fulfill statutory requirements, and advance affordable housing goals.
Gunnison Valley is a diverse region in Colorado, home to Crested Butte Ski Resort and Western Colorado University. Known for its vibrant recreational amenities and a mix of urban and rural communities, Gunnison Valley faces unique housing challenges influenced by its seasonal tourism and growing resident population.
The Gunnison Valley Housing Needs Assessment, completed in collaboration with WSW Consulting and Urban Rural Continuum, delivers an updated, comprehensive perspective on the region’s housing conditions, emerging trends, and evolving community needs. Building on foundational work from 2016, this assessment integrates both quantitative data and community perspectives gathered through employer and household surveys.
The analysis provided a detailed view of economic conditions, housing dynamics, and demographic trends, enabling strategic planning and tailored interventions for both the North Valley and South Valley to address their distinct housing needs. The study also offered detailed insights into housing use patterns—including full-time residences, seasonal homes, and short-term rentals—while identifying key challenges such as over crowding, housing quality issues, and forced relocations.
Frisco, located in Summit County, Colorado, is a major job and retail hub in the region, playing a central role in the local economy. The town's strategic position makes it a vital economic driver but also exposes it to intense housing pressures. Investor demand, the influx of second homeowners, and a growing retiree population have significantly driven up housing costs, making it challenging for the local workforce to secure affordable housing.
To address these challenges, the Town of Frisco adopted its Strategic Housing Plan in October 2024, creating a comprehensive framework to tackle both "catch-up" and "keep-up" housing needs. Developed in partnership with DP+S, Triple Point Consulting, and Castlewood Capital, the plan provides a structured approach that includes land use and site analysis, economic impact assessments using IMPLAN, financial modeling, partnerships, and site-specific pro-formas. This holistic approach aims to guide effective policy formation and ensure resources are targeted appropriately to support long-term community stability and growth.
The plan builds on scenario analyses and extensive community input to outline feasible housing futures, offering data-informed solutions that respond to current and future needs. The Strategic Housing Plan is a roadmap designed to ensure Frisco's housing development can support both economic growth and community well-being in a sustainable manner.
Proposition 123 is a voter-approved initiative aimed at addressing Colorado's affordable housing crisis. It allocates over $300 million annually to create and preserve affordable housing, requiring local jurisdictions to set measurable goals to ensure meaningful progress. The Proposition 123 Technical Assistance initiative was launched to help communities opt in, establish housing baselines, and make the necessary commitments. Only jurisdictions that opt in are eligible for funding through the State Affordable Housing Fund.
Western Spaces, in collaboration with Logan Simpson and Colorado's Division of Housing, Division of Local Government, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), and the Office of Economic Development andInternational Trade (OEDIT), delivered educational support and outreach to help jurisdictions advance the objectives of Proposition 123.
The team delivered educational webinars, technical assistance, and informational flyers, giving local jurisdictions the tools they needed to set realistic and impactful housing goals. With over 202 jurisdictions participating—representing more than 87% of Colorado's population—this effort significantly bolstered affordable housing planning across the state.
Summit County, Colorado, faces significant workforce housing challenges, driven by high housing costs, a growing workforce, and a reliance on seasonal tourism. The Dillon Workforce Center Housing Market Analysis, conducted by Western Spaces, LLC, for Servitas, LLC and Summit County, played a pivotal role in addressing these issues and supporting a historic lease under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
This initiative enabled the development of up to 177 affordable rental units on the 11-acre Dillon Work Center administrative site. The project includes a neighborhood community center, public transit connections, and upgraded infrastructure. Designed to serve permanent and seasonal Forest Service employees, Summit County employees, and other qualifying residents, this effort demonstrates the power of innovation and collaboration in solving workforce housing challenges.
The Housing Market Analysis incorporated both primary and secondary research to deliver a comprehensive understanding of the local housing market. Interviews with property managers provided data on rental rates, vacancies, and unit configurations. Key interviews with major employers revealed critical workforce housing needs. An economic and demographic framework was developed using data from the U.S. Census, Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Demand calculations by Area Median Income (AMI) and household size identified specific housing requirements. The study also summarized housing preferences to guide tailored solutions.
