The Buildout

Food and shelter are two basic things all humans need to survive. But with the rising costs of both groceries and housing, a lot of Coloradans are finding it difficult to afford both. In this episode, we hear from organizations seeking to address food insecurity, including Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, Longmont Housing Authority, and the Family and Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) in Summit County. Each is unique in their strategy, but all share the conviction that one shou

Colorado needs over 136,000 more affordable housing units for low-income earners. That means the state needs people to build that housing. From skilled tradespeople to developers and property managers, the industry needs all kinds of workers to tackle the state’s housing crisis. In Colorado Springs, Mat Lujan and Cliff Hunter head up Project Diakonia; a nonprofit that mentors at-risk youth with hands-on construction training, and partners with Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing. P

As people exit incarceration, they are 10 times more likely to slip into homelessness because they face higher barriers to obtaining steady employment, reliable healthcare, and affordable housing. Colorado is home to many organizations dedicated to helping folks find a home amid their reentry journeys. Julie Kiehl is the Executive Director of the Empowerment Program: an organization that primarily supports women leaving incarceration with affordable housing and wraparound services. Mandelyn Lew

Colorado’s housing and economic development needs are as diverse as the state’s landscapes. From plains to mountains, and from cities to ski slopes, no two communities are the same. Each needs tailor-made solutions. Through a strategic initiative called Vision 2030, CHFA plans to channel $30 billion in statewide investment to fuel housing and economic development, working closely with stakeholders from Kit Carson to Grand Junction. To realize this vision, CHFA needs to collaborate with communit

This season on The Buildout, a podcast from Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), we’re looking at what it takes to prepare Colorado for the future. Join us for Season Three beginning August 27, 2026, available wherever you listen to podcasts. By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal,

Silverton, Colorado, is tucked away in the mountains in the southwest part of the state and has about 731 residents. But they want to grow, and to do so, they need more housing. Contrary to what you might think, building even just a few units of affordable housing is complicated and expensive for small communities. They often don’t meet the criteria for the big federal housing programs, like Housing Tax Credits. That’s why CHFA launched Small-scale Housing Technical Assistance, which provides tr