Boulder County commissioners back Willoughby water request, homelessness role

Boulder County commissioners backed two proposals for the 2027 budget: a one-time water-funding request for Willoughby Corner and an ongoing homelessness coordination position costing $91,000 a year. Neither is a final budget decision.

At an Oct. 13 budget work session, Housing Department Director and Boulder County Housing Authority Executive Director Susanne Lopez Baker outlined the requests to commissioners. She said the water request would cover the housing authority’s payment obligation to Lafayette under a water agreement for phases 2 and 3 of Willoughby Corner. The authority must repay the city as it pulls permits for the project.

Willoughby Corner is planned to include homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, multifamily housing and affordable homes. The phases tied to the request include 32 units for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 108 multifamily units in phase 2, followed by 73 affordable homes in phase 3. Commissioners supported moving the water request forward through the General Fund while staff examine whether other funding sources or payment timing could work before the budget is adopted.

The homelessness specialist position, currently supported by a grant, is set to expire in December 2026. The role would coordinate work among homelessness-service providers, including case conferences to match people experiencing homelessness with housing resources, housing navigation and connections to other support. It is part of a two-person team coordinating services and placements.

Commissioners supported continuing the position as an ongoing General Fund job. Staff will also look into whether any part of the position could qualify for affordable-and-attainable-housing-tax funding, though staff said most homelessness activities are not eligible.