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Affordable housing in Durango
is allocated according to a person’s or household’s
annual median income. For example, some housing organizations
only accept families who make between 30 percent and 50 percent
of the county’s median income, as designated by HUD, whereas
others target in the 50 percent to 80 percent range. Here is a
breakdown of some of the options available in La Plata County,
what they offer, how much they cost, and who is eligible for them.
Rental opportunities:
Merced de las
Animas, 3701 West Second Ave., 247-9066
 Target:
40 to 60 percent range (income of $20,800 to $31,200 for a family
of four; $14,560 to $21,840 for a single).
Operated by Mercy Housing, of Denver, Merced offers 50 one-, two-
and three-bedroom townhomes. Units come with garage option, patios
and washer/dryer hookups. Merced opened in 1997. Waiting list.
Rents: $271 to $656.
Southwest Horizons
Ranch/ Southwest Community Resources, Florida Mesa, 259-1086
 Target:
40 to 60 percent range (income of $20,800 to $31,200 for a family
of four; $14,560 to $21,840 for a single).
Located on the Florida Mesa off of County Road 221, Southwest
Horizons Ranch offers 61 two- and three-bedroom, single-family
homes. The development opened in September, 2000. Waiting list.
Rents: $399-$695
Westwood Apartments,
60 Westwood Place, Highway 160 West, 259-7953
Target: 50 percent range (income of $26,000 for a family of four;
$18,200 for a single).
About a mile from town, these 12 two-bedroom, one-bath apartments
offer dishwashers, garbage disposals, frost-free fridges and walk-in
closets. The entire complex (48 units) includes a barbecue area,
playground and laundry facilities. Short waiting list.
Rents: $525 for qualifying individuals.
Home-ownership
opportunities:
Colorado Housing
Inc., 382-0333
 Target:
50 to 80 percent range (income of $26,000 to $41,600 for a family
of four; $18,200 to $29,100 for a single).
Colorado Housing is a self-help ownership program that offers
low-interest, no down payment home loans through the U.S. Department
of Agriculture. Homeowners are required to put 400 to 600 hours
of labor into the construction of their homes, which are built
in groups of four to six. Short waiting list.
Mortgage: About $700 a month
Habitat for
Humanity, 382-9930
Target: 30 to 60 percent range (income of $15,600 to $26,000 for
a family of four; $10,900 to $18,200 for a single).
Habitat is an interest-free program that provides homeownership
opportunities to families unable to get loans through conventional
methods or government-assisted programs. Homeowners must put in
350 to 500 hours of labor toward building their own homes.
Mortgage: About $300 a month.
On the Web:
For more on affordable housing and government-assisted housing,
visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
at www.hud.gov
or the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority at www.colohfa.org.
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