by Beecher Threatt
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Low income county residents could soon get help with down payment funds for a home purchase or loans for home rehabilitation, according to Shirley Diaz, president of Ouray County Housing Authority and executive director of San Miguel Housing Authority. On Tuesday Diaz told the Board of County Commissioners that Delta Housing Authority has funds intended for use in the entire region. DHA's Todd Wicklund outlined the programs for the board.
The funds are left over from the Western Colorado Development Corporation, which dissolved years ago, Diaz told the board. DHA ended up with the funds and has been using them housing assistance in Delta, Montrose and San Miguel counties. Ouray County has been overlooked, Diaz explained, because its housing authority did not have staff members to administer funds. But they were intended to be used in the region, so if the BOCC and DHA enter into an agreement, funds can be administered in Ouray County.
With a $500 administration fee paid by the county, a low income resident could potentially receive $25,000 in housing assistance. Money is awarded either as down payment assistance or as a loan for home rehabilitation, removal of barriers or energy efficiency measures. Residents whose income is at 80 percent of the Area Median Income are eligible. For Ouray County, that translates to $54,650 or less for a family of four.
BOCC instructed staff and the interim county attorney to review a draft intergovernmental agreement presented by Diaz and report back to commissioners.
"This is just a re-affirmation of our (Ouray County's) existence in the original program," Commissioner Mike Fedel said. "It's a very economical way to start down the path of affordable housing."