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:

• A housing development is considered affordable if at least 10% of the total dwelling units are affordable to rent or own by households earning 80% or less of Area Median Income (AMI).
• A unit is considered affordable to rent if a household earning 80% or less of AMI pays no more than 30% of their gross monthly income towards rent, including utilities.
• A unit is considered affordable to own if a household earning 80% or less of AMI pays no more than 38% of their gross monthly income towards their mortgage, including principal, interest, and insurance.

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.

Density Bonus#

Affordable housing projects proposed in the Low-Density Mixed-Use Housing (LMN) zone are eligible to increase the maximum allowed density from 9 to 12 dwelling units per acre. See Division 4.5 of the Land Use Code for full detail.

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.

Fee Credit Request Process

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.

EV Offset Request Process

Priority Processing#

Affordable housing projects are eligible to receive an expedited development review and permitting process.