Housing Projects

Project Summary and Timeline

The Gauge Apartments, an 89-unit affordable housing apartment project on Escalante Drive behind Home Depot that is expected to be completed by early August. These are free market apartment rentals that include the following amenities: granite counter tops, in unit washer and dryer, LVT flooring throughout the unit, A/C in each apartment, fiber internet, surface parking, 4 available EV charging stations, fenced dog run area, and on-site property manager. There is also an affordable component tied to them for 10 years per an annexation agreement between the City and Four Points Funding that was approved by City Council. Of the 89-units 16% of the units include rent-restricted units for the local workforce with a 10-year term with rental ranges targeting 80% to 120% Area Median Income. 

Market Rate Rental Units

The Gauge Apartments are nestled in the heart of Durango, with easy access to enjoy an active mountain lifestyle while still benefitting from city amenities. For more information about available units or to schedule a tour please visit Gauge Apartments website.

Below Market Units Available (Income Restricted)

In Gauge Apartments is offering below market rental units in conjunction with the City of Durango Housing Program and non-profit partner Housing Solutions for the Southwest. Please call the leasing office for additional information. 

The following 14-rent restricted units are available for households that meet the residency requirement and household income requirements. The units are first come serve based on application submittal and Gauge Apartments leasing office and Housing Solutions for the Southwest approval. For questions about income requirements please contact Tammy Chambers, Housing Solutions for the Southwest Property Management Director at (970) 385-7932 or Email.

      Building A - Move in date beginning August 11, 2023.                                

      Building C - Move in date anticipated for mid to late October 2023.

       2023 Household Income for La Plata County must not exceed the following:

Residency Requirements

“Qualified Resident” means a person who shall occupy the unit as their principal place of residence in compliance with all of the following:   (A) during the period of his or her occupancy in a Unit at a minimum is 10 months a year (no less than 300 days a year), (B) earns his or her living for a business or organization located physically within La Plata County by working there an average of at least 30 hours per week determined on an annual basis (minimum 1,500 hours worked per calendar year, average 35 hours a week, 10 months a year; or 32 hours a week, 11 months a year. (C) is a person who is approved, in writing, by the City, or City’s designee, based upon criteria including, but not limited to, total income, percent of income earned within La Plata County, place of voter registration, place of automobile registration, and driver's license address and other qualifications established by the City from time to time.

“Employment Exemptions” to the local employment requirement may be authorized by the City, or Housing Solutions for the SW, and a Durango Employment Exemption Form must be completed in accordance with the review and approval process outlined below:

1. “Self-Employment and Residents that Work from Home” shall mean for individuals claiming self-employment or work from home status, the employment must be for an average of at least 30 hours per week on an annual basis for a business or organization that is located within and serves La Plata County and requires their physical presence within the boundaries of La Plata County in order to complete the task or furnish the service, and such individuals must demonstrate they are earning at least a minimum wage from this employment.
2. Qualified Disabled (“Disabled Persons”). A person who meets the definition of “individual with a disability” contained in 29 U.S.C. Section 706(8), and/or as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1190; and/or a person who has a “handicap,” as defined in C.R. S. 24-34-301(4), the Colorado Discrimination Act. Persons who become disabled after commencing occupancy of a unit.
3. Qualified Retirees. Those who are 65 years or older may apply to be Qualified Retiree by providing verifiable history of employment meeting the Qualified Resident employment requirement on a rolling twelve (12) month basis for at least five (5) of the seven (7) years immediately prior to application for Qualified Retiree as defined in this restriction. Provisions may be included to authorize an alternate retirement age for public safety field staff based on their years of service and applicable retirement/pension plan. 

Project Summary and Timeline

TWG Development, LLC, in collaboration with the City of Durango, has acquired the former Best Western Motel, located at 21382 US 160. TWG is moving forward with plans to rehabilitate the existing 72-room motel and construct 48 new units, resulting in a 120-unit vibrant affordable housing apartment community called Residences at Durango. The development will serve households earning 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

This will be the first hotel-to-residential conversion in the state to utilize tax credit financing and is the largest ever tax credit project in Southwest Colorado. The City of Durango actively facilitated the purchase by initiating a real estate offer to accomplish housing goals. While searching for the right development partner, the City funded the due diligence and took on some pre-development work to ensure the project could be completed. Renovation work will begin in Spring 2023 with completion in 2024.

Eligibility

The Residences at Durango’s New Construction and Rehab will meet at least the bronze certification under the National Green Building Standard program (NGBS) and will be contracting Group 14 as an energy rater for both construction phases. There will be LED E-Star lighting, low flow features, and E-Star appliances. In addition, there will be EV Charging Stations for future use as needed. This is the first affordable housing development in the Highway 160 West corridor and will provide much needed affordable units in a mixed-use neighborhood within one mile of downtown Durango. Renovation work will begin in Spring 2023 with completion in 2024.  

Questions regarding the size, location, finishes, price, etc. of the units may be directed to the developer, TWG Development.

Project Summary and Timeline

Twin Buttes in partnership with the City of Durango submitted a Request for Proposals (RFP) in April of 2023 for the Twin Buttes Housing Developer to design and develop a workforce housing project, to include all planning, engineering, architectural and construction services necessary. 271 Twin Buttes Avenue is the former site of the Animas High School, which moved to their new location on the Fort Lewis College campus in the beginning of 2023. All former school buildings and infrastructure will be removed from the site by June 30, 2023.

On May 8, 2023, the City of Durango issued a notice of award to Elevation Community Land Trust (ECLT) to design and develop workforce housing units. ELCT selected Fading West Development as its development partner at Twin Buttes because of mission alignment, track record of innovation, and proven execution. ELCT will enter into a purchase and sale agreement with Fading West with a maximum purchase amount for all units upon completion. Fading West will spreadhead the development process using a combination of west slop factory capacity, its own integrated construction and design and local contractor partnerships to ensure efficient delivery. Through this partnership the team envisions a small development of 30 townhomes and cottages that will be perched on a hillside with views of Smelter Mountain and the La Platas beyond. The new community will create ownership of a variety of sizes and incomes. A minimum of 15 units will be permanently affordable to households at or below 80% AMI, with the remaining permanently affordable to households up to 120% AMI. The project will begin work in June 2023 with completion in spring of 2025.

Eligibility

Questions regarding the design and development may be directed to the developer Elevation Community Land Trust and for questions about regarding size, location, finishes, price, etc. of the units may be directed to ELCT’s development partner, Fading West.