Development Incentives for Affordable Housing#
Who's Eligible?#
In order to encourage the building of affordable housing units, Fort Collins offers a variety of development incentives that are intended to reduce the costs to developers. For complete definitions, see Section 5.1.2 of the Fort Collins Land Use Code. In order to receive affordable housing development incentives, a project must meet certain criteria as defined in the Land Use Code, including but not limited to:
Affordability Standards – rental and for-sale projects shall provide one of the following minimum unit options:
- Rental Units: 10% units at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) or 20% units at 80% AMI
- For-Sale: 10% units at 80% AMI or 20% units at 100% AMI
Applicants shall submit a notarized affidavit to the Development Review Coordinator assigned to the project that provides how the development meets the affordability standards and administrative requirements.
HUD Income Limits#
Each year HUD determines Area Median Income (AMI) for the Fort Collins/Loveland Metropolitan Statistic Area (MSA), broken down by household size and percentage of AMI.
Fee Credit#
Affordable housing projects may qualify if providing housing for formerly homeless individuals, housing for people with disabilities or people earning 30% of the AMI or less.
See Article VIII of the Municipal Code for full detail.
Impact Fee Delay#
Impact fees are typically paid at the time that building permits are issued. This incentive allows the developer to delay the payment of those impact fees until a certificate of occupancy is issued, or December 1 of that year, whichever happens first. See Section 7.5-26 of the Fort Collins Municipal Code & Charter for full detail.
Pilot Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Offset Program#
Affordable Housing Projects built to the 2021 Building Code may receive a fee credit to offset the cost of electric vehicle infrastructure that exceeds the requirements of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. To be eligible parking spaces must include at least:
- 1 EVSE-Installed type 2 charging station installed during construction ($10,500 credit)
- 20% of spaces EV Capable – Installation of panel space and conduit to accommodate future build-out of EV charging with 208/240 V, 40-amp circuits EV infrastructure ($2,000 credit)
- 15% of spaces EV Ready – Full circuit installations including 208/240V, 40-amp panel capacity, raceway, wiring, receptacle, and overprotection devices similar to a dryer ($4,000 credit)
Once minimum standards are met, credit amounts will be calculated based on 1 EVSE – Installed, 5% of EV Ready Spaces, and 10% of EV Capable. There will be one credit permitted per parking space type.
Priority Processing#
All affordable developments are eligible for Basic Development Review (BDR). A BDR is an administrative-level review. There is also a one-week reduction in review time for affordable housing projects.
Summary of Affordable Housing Incentives#
Minimum Eligibility | Specific by Zone | Units Targeting 30% Area Median Income (AMI) | |
---|---|---|---|
Rental – 10% units at 60% AMI or 20% units at 80% AMI |
* | ||
For-Sale – 10% units at 80% AMI or 20% units at 100% AMI |
* | ||
Impact Fee Delay & Exemption from Security Requirement (partial or total) |
* | ||
Fee Credits |
* | * | |
Basic Development Review |
* | ||
Land Use Code Incentives |
* |
LMN – Density Bonus MMN, HMN, NC, CC, CCN, CCR, CG, CS, TOD – Height Bonus |
|
Parking Reductions |
* +7 or more units |