As housing unaffordability becomes an increasing concern in Colorado, Shift Research Lab, in partnership with Phyllis Resnick, PhD, recently conducted research and analysis to help policymakers, advocates and housing experts better understand the many factors contributing to the state’s housing crisis by providing insight into unfavorable trends impacting the housing system. In the new report Exploring Colorado’s Housing Affordability Challenges in All of Their Complexity, Newcomer and Resnick build off their previous research on family economic security, which shows many Colorado families are more housing cost-burdened today than ever before. The study, which was supported by The Piton Foundation, Housing Colorado and the Colorado Health Foundation, argues the crisis is largely a supply issue, there is not one fix and now is the time to think differently.
To learn more, download the full report and access an immersive digital tool below, explore the executive summary, and read this recent Denver Post feature story.
This study is one of the most comprehensive we’ve seen to not only identify and inventory the factors that drive building costs, but also quantify their relative impact. While the factors are complex, it is a starting point for productive conversation around solutions–no longer rooted in just theories, but evidenced by data.
KEY FINDING
of Colorado renters spend more than 30% of their incomes on housing.
Shift partners with social change organizations that are interested in using data to better serve their communities.
Is your work focused on one of our issue areas? Let’s chat to see how we can help.