THE HOME FRONT
- info0823511
- Apr 10
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 11
Chaffee Housing Authority Update
Q1 2026
Progress at The Crossing: A Milestone for Housing in Buena Vista
Written by Carley Smith, CHA Board Member
The Crossing, a new neighborhood development in Buena Vista, has reached a significant milestone in expanding housing opportunities for Chaffee County residents. After several years of planning and collaboration among community partners, the Chaffee Housing Trust recently completed the first seven of fourteen homes within the development, marking a significant step toward increasing the supply of attainable housing in the region.
The Crossing was created in response to a growing housing shortage affecting many communities and people throughout Chaffee County. A 2022 housing needs assessment conducted by the Chaffee Housing Authority estimated that the county will need more than 1,100 additional homes by 2027 in order to meet the needs of its workforce and local residents. The shortage has impacted valuable members of the Buena Vista community including teachers, healthcare professionals, hospitality workers, and other essential occupations, who often struggle to find housing close to where they work.
Developed by Paul Andrews, The Crossing represents a community-centered approach to addressing these challenges. The 16-acre neighborhood was designed to balance thoughtful growth with long-term housing accessibility for local residents.
Read More About The Crossing
Developed by Paul Andrews, The Crossing represents a community-centered approach to addressing these challenges. The 16-acre neighborhood was designed to balance thoughtful growth with long-term housing accessibility for local residents. A key component of the project is its partnership with both the Chaffee Housing Trust, Habitat for Humanity, and the Chaffee Housing Authority.
The first phase of the development, equivalent to 8 acres, when fully built out will include approximately 114 homes. Fifty percent of the homes in the first phase are permanently protected as affordable. These protections prevent the homes from entering the open market at market prices in the future, helping preserve long-term affordability for working families in Chaffee County. When a homeowner sells one of these properties, the resale price is limited to ensure the next family gets the same opportunity to buy an affordable home. It’s a model meant to keep homes affordable not only for the first buyer, but for anyone who comes after.
To put that in perspective: the median condo or townhome in Chaffee County for February 2026 sold for over $640,000. Homes at The Crossing are priced at $280,000 for a one bedroom, $350,000 for a 2-bedroom, and $400,000 for a 3-bedrooms. The Crossing hopes to serve the people who are integral parts of this community every day including teachers, county employees, medical assistants, and restaurant employees. The specific property, the total number of people in a household, and the size of the home determine eligibility for a Chaffee Housing Trust home. For example, a couple with one child who have a total annual earnings before taxes of $59,200 would qualify since they earn under the maximum allowed for a 3-person household of $74,080.
Two local households are currently in the qualification process for two homes. Chaffee Housing Trust is currently accepting applications from interested homebuyers. https://www.chaffeehousing.org/listing
The Crossing will also include The Crossing Apartments, a $14.6M 33-unit apartment complex serving households across a range of incomes and apartment types from studios to two-bedroom. In a county where the rental vacancy rate is generally always below the industry norm of 5%, every new unit matters. The Crossing Apartments is a collaborative partnership between the developer of The Crossing, Paul Andrews, and the CHA. CHA was awarded a $1.6M Housing Development Grant (HDG) from the State of Colorado to help bring down the cost of the apartments. Additionally, CHA made its first ever equity contribution of $200,000 to the project from County Lodger’s Tax Reallocation Funds and investment of revenue from earned interest. The CHA funds complemented $4.2M in State of Colorado Prop 123 Equity Funds, low interest loan money, awarded to the developer. These funds were critical to support the inclusion of a diversity of apartments where rents will range from around $650 to over $2,000 - truly providing housing for all.
Beyond housing, the neighborhood is being designed to foster community connection. Parks, trails, and shared green spaces are incorporated throughout the development, encouraging outdoor activity and neighborhood gathering. Historical elements of the land are also being preserved, including the incorporation of an historic ice chute into the park design as a tribute to the area’s history. Future phases of development will include more residential units as well as mixed-use spaces intended to support neighborhood services and local businesses.
The Crossing reflects the impact that thoughtful partnerships can have when addressing housing challenges. With the first homes now moving toward occupancy, the project represents an important step forward in expanding housing opportunities and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the Buena Vista community, because it is a community that truly values its people.
Jane's Place Ribbon Cutting Celebration
CHA hosted a community open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for Jane's Place in mid-December 2025. Since, the first tenants have moved into apartments, Brew & Bloom Coffee Shop has opened, and the Chaffee County Community Foundation Nonprofit Hub will be available for local nonprofits soon. A huge thank you to every single community member and partner who has been a part of this vision.
Thank You for Supporting Molly House!
As part of Jane's Place, Molly House provides a safe, short-term bridge for unhoused seniors and families during during the transition from applying for housing and when an apartment becomes available. Molly House residents participate in structured, renewable 90-day stays with support provided by CHA's Housing Case Manager, Daniel Flanders, and key community partners including a key partner, the Chaffee County Department of Human Services and their Stable Families Program.
CHA received $27,000 in donations from individual giving and the ChaffeeGives campaign over the past 18 months to support Molly House residents with program housing fees. With statewide funding for homeless services declining due the expiration of one-time state and federal funds, CHA cannot sufficiently thank you for your generosity and ensuring CHA can initiate this critical new programming in Chaffee County for our most vulnerable community members. The first family moved into Molly House in March and we hope to see residents in the senior apartment very soon.
To open Molly House, CHA staff, CHA Board members, and the Sunrise Rotary dedicated significant hours to building furniture (and breaking down countless boxes) to prepare the apartments. CHA would like to extend a special thanks to all the Sunrise Rotary members and the countless hours they contributed. Thank you!
CHA Partners With Cloud City Conservation Center to Expand Access to Energy & Utility Resources
CHA is excited to announce it is a recipient of an Energy Office of Colorado grant, in partnership with Leadville's Cloud City Conservation Center, to increase awareness about the resources available to low-income households to decrease their monthly energy costs. In Chaffee County, CHA's Housing Navigator, Laura Thompson, is partnering with the First Presbyterian Church, Alpine Achievers, Chaffee Housing Trust, Department of Human Services, and others to conduct an outreach campaign to targeted households ahead of next year's winter. At a time where costs of living seem to only be going up, we are excited about how this new partnership will benefit community residents in accessing resources to increase housing stability and save money. More coming soon!
Looking for a Rental Home?
CHA has availability at Jane's Place in Salida and The Crossing, Forest Creek Cabins, and Midland Apartments in Buena Vista. View our Available Rentals to learn more.
Sign Up for Our Rental Interest Newsletter.
To stay informed about what is currently available and upcoming vacancies in CHA managed properties. Sign up at https://www.chaffeehousingauthority.org/rentals
Homeownership Opportunities
The City of Salida Inclusionary Housing Program home sales are managed by the CHA. We currently have one home for sale and more coming soon. Make sure to sign up for our Homeownership Interest Newsletter to keep informed about opportunities by signing up at: https://www.chaffeehousingauthority.org/resources/homebuyers
City of Salida Home For Sale
318 E 1st St Unit D, Salida, CO 81201
$408,000
Cute, stand-alone 850 square foot , 2 bedroom/ 2 bath home with an attached garage and potential office is for sale by owner. The current owner's goal is to close no earlier than October giving time for a Chaffee County resident to work though the homebuying process. Learn more: https://www.chaffeehousingauthority.org/homes-for-sale
The Chaffee Housing Trust currently has homes for sale in Buena Vista in The Crossing and at Forest Creek Cabins. These homes are a great opportunity for community members who believed homeownership was out of reach for them.
Learn More About CHT Homeownership Opportunities
Live in Buena Vista’s newest development, The Crossing. Fourteen homes are available including:
Four 1-bedroom homes starting at $280,000.
Eight 2-bedroom homes starting at $350,000.
Two 3-bedroom homes starting at $400,000.
View the flyer here.
Live in a lush meadow amongst the cottonwoods near Cottonwood Creek and the Meadows at Forest Creek Cabins. Six homes are available including:
1 bedroom/1 bath for $155,000.
Two 2-bedroom/1 bath for $175,000.
A 2 bedroom/2 bath for $325,000.
Two 2 bedroom/1 bath in a duplex for $225,000.
A 3 bedroom/1.5 bath for $350,000.
View the flyer here.
To learn more about CHT homeownership qualifications and to apply, visit the CHT website for more information.
Chaffee County Housing Needs Assessment
Chaffee County Housing affects us all—neighbors, families, friends. Please provide your
input for the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. You can take the Housing Needs survey and/or participate in one of the community meeting on May 5th or 6th.
The survey is available in English and Spanish and respondents may choose to enter a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card. The survey will remain open through May 22, 2026, and can be accessed at
For more information about the project, upcoming engagement opportunities, and learn more about the HNA planning process, visit www.ChaffeeHousingPlan.org
Brew & Bloom: Where Great Coffee Meets Greater Opportunity
Written by: Brett Landin, CHA Board Member
Something wonderful is taking root in Salida — and it smells like fresh espresso. When the Chaffee Housing Authority broke ground on Jane's Place, the vision was always bigger than four walls and a roof. Jane's Place was designed to be a living community — a place where residents could not only find safe, affordable homes, but also connect with opportunity right at their doorstep. This spring, that vision takes a bold new step forward with the opening of Brew & Bloom, a social enterprise coffee shop that opened its doors April 8th.
Read More About Brew & Bloom
Brew & Bloom is the newest program of Achieve, Inc., a Chaffee County nonprofit incorporated in 2017 and headquartered in Buena Vista. Achieve was founded by a mother who recognized the profound lack of employment resources available to neurodivergent young people in rural Colorado — and decided to do something about it. Research consistently shows that up to 90% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed, a staggering gap that Achieve has been working to close one opportunity at a time.
Achieve's first social enterprise, the beloved Little Engine Eatery food trailer in Buena Vista, demonstrated that with the right support and mentorship, neurodivergent youth and adults can thrive in a workplace setting — and go on to build lasting careers. Since 2017, over 75% of the approximately 80 Achieve program graduates aged 14 and older have gone on to secure meaningful employment, a track record that speaks for itself. Brew & Bloom builds directly on that success, and with its year-round, brick-and-mortar format, it will allow Achieve to serve more participants annually, and with a more in-depth curriculum, than the seasonal eatery in Buena Vista. Approximately 15 students per year will go through the four-month job-skills curriculum, graduating with real-life skills that they can take to the professional job market.
At the heart of Brew & Bloom is a carefully structured curriculum that pairs real-world job training with personal development. Participants — known as "Achievers" — work alongside experienced mentors in a supportive, inclusive environment, building practical skills in customer service, communication, teamwork, and money handling. These aren't just coffee shop skills; they're the foundational competencies that open doors across industries and empower individuals to live more independent, fulfilling lives.
And the coffee shop itself? Wonderful! Brew & Bloom offers a full espresso bar, nourishing smoothies, home-baked scones and breads, breakfast sandwiches and light lunch fare — hearty, delicious food to fuel whatever the day holds. For those with early-morning mountain adventures on the agenda, Brew & Bloom opens its doors at 6:30 a.m., making it the perfect first stop before hitting the trails, river, or slopes. It also features a new mural on the interior wall completed as part of the Belonging Project which will be celebrated as part a June 10th Mural Celebration and a collaborative Arts and Society grant that is reframing the discussion of home and belonging through the arts.
The Chaffee Housing Authority is proud to have Jane's Place serve as the home for this remarkable enterprise. Brew & Bloom embodies what mixed-use affordable housing can and should be — not simply shelter, but a launching pad for community vitality and individual growth. This model puts everyday amenities within walking distance of residents while generating on-site economic activity and personal growth that can help support the long-term financial and social sustainability of the complex. A win-win for the community!
To learn more about Achieve and its mission, visit www.achievelifeskills.org.
Visit Brew & Bloom, pull up a chair, order something wonderful, and be part of something powerful!
Introducing Laura Thompson, CHA Housing Navigator
Laura Thompson started at CHA in December and has been a powerhouse providing assistance to individuals and households seeking housing. She brings to the team a rich tapestry of housing experience and serves as the point of contact for CHA for community members who have questions about housing options or who may be experiencing challenges with housing costs. While adding new apartments has helped fulfill some of the wide range of needs in our community, we know it has not helped every segment of our workforce. Currently, the most affordable apartments in Chaffee County all have a wait list. Laura helps community members with the application process, discusses alternatives while on a wait list, and provides support in finding resources to help address the high cost of living such as food and utility assistance. If you or someone you know is struggling with finding housing, contact:
Laura Thompson, Housing Navigator
P: (719) 920-3497
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