The city’s latest multi-million dollar housing project has sparked debate over what truly qualifies as “affordable” in Grand Junction. With the city investing in new developments, many residents question whether the proposed housing will meet the needs of those struggling most.
City Announces $3 Million Land Purchase for Affordable Housing
The city of Grand Junction has purchased a plot of land near 28 Road and Grand Avenue for over $3 million, using a mix of grants and city funding. Officials say the goal is to create affordable housing targeted at households making under $100,000 per year, with a specific focus on those earning less than $56,000 annually.
However, some residents have expressed doubts about the figures. “There’s no such thing as affordable housing in Grand Junction,” one Facebook user commented on a previous news report. Critics argue that $56,000 does not accurately represent the city’s median income and that the plan may fall short of addressing the community’s real needs.
Addressing Skepticism About the City’s Commitment
The city acknowledges past concerns about unfulfilled affordable housing promises. Housing Manager Ashley Chambers clarified that Grand Junction itself has never directly built affordable housing.
“We have never built affordable housing as a city ever. We are not even building this housing. We are just laying the groundwork for affordable housing to be built,” said Chambers.
The project aims to create opportunities for private developers to construct affordable units. Still, some residents remain wary, citing past disappointments with similar initiatives.
Community Concerns Over Land Safety
Beyond affordability, concerns have emerged about potential radiation exposure and alkaline levels in the purchased land, given its previous usage. Chambers reassured residents that extensive testing was conducted before finalizing the purchase.
“We did a lot of additional testing of soils, and we did radiation testing, and all of them came back in our favor,” she said.
Officials maintain that the land is safe for development and that the project is moving forward as planned.
