EFAA supports creative housing solutions for families experiencing homelessness

Family homelessness is a critical, yet oftentimes invisible issue in our community. Almost 1,000 school-aged children in Boulder County experience homelessness each year.

When families lose their homes, the most common solution is to “double up” with another family in a home; 54% of registered homeless children in the United States are living in this kind of housing arrangement. In Boulder’s high-cost housing environment, where the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,100, the ability to double up with another family is critical to preventing local family homelessness.

However, in most of Boulder, it is currently illegal for more than three unrelated people to live together. These occupancy limits defy the occupancy standards recommended in the Fair Housing Act, and disproportionately affect low-income families at risk of homelessness, including those we serve at EFAA.

Because of how the City’s occupancy limits put children and families at risk of further homelessness, EFAA is endorsing the November 2021 ballot measure set forth by Bedrooms Are For People. We encourage you to learn more about this issue by visiting www.bedroomsareforpeople.com.