South Routt addresses housing crisis with launch of regional advisory board

South Routt County is taking a major step toward addressing a growing housing shortage with formation of a new regional advisory board. 

The South Routt Housing Advisory Board, currently in the process of being finalized, will bring together two representatives each from Oak Creek, Yampa and Routt County to guide a newly hired housing manager with the goal of implementing solutions outlined in a 2024 housing needs assessment.

The board is not a housing authority — at least not yet. Instead, it’s being described as an “initial step” in building the organizational structure and regional collaboration needed to address South Routt housing challenges.

“We’re creating a guiding and overseeing group from representatives of the regional area of South Routt County to work with Drew (Blanchard) and implement action items identified in the housing needs assessment and the comprehensive plans for this area,” said Mary Alice Page-Allen, town clerk for Oak Creek and town planner for Yampa.

Drew Blanchard was recently hired as South Routt’s housing innovation manager. His position is funded by a Local Planning Capacity grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, matched by contributions from Routt County, Oak Creek and Yampa, with Oak Creek acting as fiscal agent for the grant.