Polis signs executive order to boost affordable housing
Polis signs executive order to boost affordable housing Colorado Public Radio
sdgtalks
Gov. Jared Polis Signs Executive Order to Boost Affordable Housing in Colorado
On Monday, Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order aimed at addressing the issue of affordable housing in Colorado. The order emphasizes the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and directs various state agencies to prioritize initiatives that promote sustainable growth in the coming decades.
Efforts to Promote Affordable Housing
- The Polis administration previously advocated for a comprehensive land use bill that would have allowed for increased housing density in cities across the state. The bill aimed to facilitate the construction of more affordable housing options such as townhomes and duplexes.
- Unfortunately, the bill did not pass, prompting Governor Polis to explore alternative approaches to address the affordable housing crisis.
During a press conference held in his office, Governor Polis stated, “This executive order is doing everything the state can do with existing authority to turn around more housing quicker, for addressing the housing crisis than so many residents in our state face.”
Accelerating Loans and Grants
The executive order mandates that loans and grants for housing projects must be processed within 90 days by July 2024. Currently, this process can take up to 240 days. The faster turnaround time is crucial, especially after voters approved Proposition 123 in 2022, which allocates significant funding for affordable housing annually.
Governor Polis emphasized the importance of timely action, stating, “In housing, time is money. It simply adds to cost when there are delays.”
Strategic Growth Goals
The executive order also establishes 10 “strategic growth goals” for the state, aligning with the objectives of the unsuccessful land use bill. These goals include promoting denser growth that is water-efficient, supportive of public transportation, and environmentally sustainable.
According to Governor Polis, these goals are essential for enhancing the quality of life and livability in Colorado.
Continued Legislative Efforts
Despite the setback of the failed land use bill, legislators who sponsored the bill are persisting in their efforts. They are currently working on similar bills for the next legislative session.
Additionally, a legislator is working on a bill to increase public transportation funding across the state, further supporting sustainable development initiatives.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The article discusses the issue of affordable housing in Colorado and the efforts of Governor Jared Polis to address this issue. This aligns with SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Additionally, the article mentions the need to boost affordable housing through loans and grants, which relates to SDG 1’s target of ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing for all. The mention of prioritizing work aimed at shaping growth in the coming decades also connects to SDG 9, which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
- SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under SDG 11 that can be identified are the need to ensure access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing (target 11.1) and the need to enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and human settlement planning (target 11.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of loans and grants issued for housing projects within 90 days
- Processing time for loans and grants for housing projects
The article mentions that under the executive order, loans and grants for housing projects must be issued in no more than 90 days by July 2024. This indicates that the number of loans and grants issued within the specified timeframe can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing (target 11.1). Additionally, the article highlights that the current processing time for loans and grants is 240 days, suggesting that a reduction in processing time can also serve as an indicator of progress towards the target.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | – Number of loans and grants issued for housing projects within 90 days – Processing time for loans and grants for housing projects |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries. | – Number of loans and grants issued for housing projects within 90 days – Processing time for loans and grants for housing projects |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. | – Number of loans and grants issued for housing projects within 90 days – Processing time for loans and grants for housing projects |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. | – Number of loans and grants issued for housing projects within 90 days – Processing time for loans and grants for housing projects |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: cpr.org
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
