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. Housing Authority staff are also exploring whether intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) Mill Levy funds could reduce the county’s Willoughby water commitment by an estimated $900,000.

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 IDD, multifamily housing and affordable homes. The phases tied to the request include 32 units for people with IDD 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 examined whether other funding sources or payment timing could work before the budget is adopted.

At an Oct. 27 Housing Authority meeting, staff described the IDD Mill Levy as one possible source for reducing the county’s water commitment. The meeting video records staff saying they were working with Human Services to identify the funds and that final numbers were still being developed. The Housing Authority board chair described the direction as using IDD Mill Levy money instead of other funding or county General Fund money.

Staff said the 32 units for people with IDD would likely be deed-restricted for people with an IDD designation. The proposed restriction would allow the units to be opened to others if no eligible person could be found, in keeping with fair-housing requirements. Staff said the language was not final. The proposal remains in early development and would need attorney review and Human Services endorsement before going to the advisory committee and then returning to the Board of County Commissioners for a final decision.

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 they said most homelessness activities are not eligible.