Neighborhood of 26 Affordable Homes in Nederland features 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options

Boulder County, Colo. -- The Boulder County Housing Authority (BCHA) will begin accepting online rental applications for the Tungsten Village neighborhood of affordable homes in Nederland on Thursday, May 7 at 9 a.m. To help ensure the safety of both applicants and staff during the COVID-19 outbreak, the BCHA team will offer a fully virtual rental application process for Tungsten Village.

“Home is the foundation of health and wellness for our community,” said Norrie Boyd, Deputy Director of Boulder County Housing Authority. “So many members of our community are unnecessarily vulnerable during this pandemic because they lack access to a safe, stable, affordable home. Now, more than ever, we have to prioritize housing affordability as a vital community support and value the role a safe home plays in keeping our neighbors healthy and thriving.”

The Tungsten Village application, which will be available via www.TungstenVillage.org, takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Once received, applications will be screened in the order received in early summer, and applicants will then be contacted. Anyone who needs additional assistance to participate fully in the application process should call (720) 564-2267 and select option 1.

information about Tungsten Village

In partnership with the Town of Nederland, the Boulder County Housing Authority (BCHA) expects to complete construction of Tungsten Village in summer 2020, with move-ins likely in September. This new building, owned, managed and maintained by BCHA, is located at 333 State Highway 72, a few blocks northwest of downtown Nederland. Tungsten Village will provide 26 homes affordable to residents with low and moderate income.

“Many of our long-term residents and essential service providers are finding it harder to live and work in Nederland,” said Dennis Whalen, Director of the Nederland Food Pantry and a member of the Peak to Peak Housing and Human Services Alliance. “This town is not only unique and beautiful—it’s also home to seniors on fixed incomes and working families—including single parents and their children, teachers, first responders, and those living with disabilities. Tungsten Village will provide an important affordable option for these neighbors to be able to stay here and continue to be part of the fabric our community.”

Nederland, Colorado is a small mountain community that was deeply affected by the historic 2013 Flood in Boulder County. This natural disaster significantly reduced Nederland’s supply of affordable homes, and—coupled with the increasing pressures from housing costs within the Boulder County market—has contributed to Nederland residents’ struggle for stable, affordable housing.

As a result of reduced housing stock and rising area rents, over 70% of town residents are housing-cost-burdened, meaning they spend over a third of their income on rent or mortgage. Many residents are unable to afford basic necessities: nearly one-quarter of Nederland area residents receive food assistance and over half receive health benefits through the Boulder County Department of Health & Human Services (BCDHHS). High housing costs are also affecting local businesses, schools, and emergency service providers, which are struggling to find and keep staff to serve the mountain community.

Tungsten Village construction will be completed in summer 2020.

More information about Tungsten Village—including eligibility requirements, rent amounts, other specifics about the homes, and the link to the online rental application—is available at www.TungstenVillage.org. For additional information, contact Mackenzie Sehlke, Boulder County Housing and Human Services, 720-467-1975.

COVID-19 Impacts on Housing

BCDHHS is working with federal, state and local partners to respond to the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19. Some rental assistance is available in the community for those impacted by COVID-19. Anyone seeking help paying for rent can call the Boulder County Housing Helpline at 303-441-1206 and leave a detailed message. A housing specialist will then return the call in 1 to 2 business days (delays are due to high call volume at this time). Additional information is available at www.boco.org/COVID-19Housing.

“Everyone in the community who needs help—parents with young kids, older adults living alone, single parents, neighbors—should apply for unemployment and medical benefits, food, financial, and child care assistance, and rental and mortgage assistance,” said BCDHHS Director Frank Alexander. “These benefits are here to help you now, so please reach out for assistance.”

Learn more about how to access the full range of available supports at www.boco.org/COVID-19Resources and see the ways to contact BCDHHS during COVID-19 at www.boco.org/COVID-19ContactHHS.

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