Larimer County is launching a new program designed to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to build Accessory Living Areas (ALAs), creating new rental housing options in unincorporated parts of the county while helping address Northern Colorado’s ongoing housing shortage.
The Backyard Boost Program is funded through a partnership between the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and Larimer County, combining a $140,000 state appropriation with matching county funds. In exchange for financial assistance, participating homeowners agree to rent their new living space at an affordable rate for at least 36 months.
Larimer County is the first county in Colorado to opt into House Bill 24-1152, legislation aimed at expanding accessory living areas in unincorporated communities, and was also the first county selected by DOLA to receive funding through the state’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program. The initiative supports the county’s voter-approved Proposition 123 affordable housing goals…