On November 5, 2026, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and housing partners gathered to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF). Established in September 2016, the fund has generated over 7,600 affordable housing units and provided critical housing stability programs throughout the city.
During the event, Mayor Johnston stated, "Over the past decade, this fund has helped Denverites find homes, stability and support when they needed it most."
Press Release: City and County of Denver
Published November 5, 2026. Reproduced in full from the City and County of Denver.
Denver’s Affordable Housing Fund Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, current and former councilmembers, and housing partners joined together today to celebrate a prominent affordable housing milestone: 10 years of Denver’s dedicated Affordable Housing Fund (AHF). Established by ordinance in September 2016, the fund has generated over 7,600 affordable housing units and a range of critical housing stability programs and services throughout Denver. Revenue to the fund over the past decade totals $335 million.
“Over the past decade, this fund has helped Denverites find homes, stability and support when they needed it most,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “We're grateful to Denver leaders who established this fund, and we will continue to ensure Denver residents are able to afford to live in their city.”
Mayor Johnston, former Councilmembers Albus Brooks and Robin Kniech who sponsored the AHF ordinance, and representatives from Enterprise Community Partners, Urban Land Conservancy, Neighborhood Development Collaborative, and Archway Communities, today participated in a panel discussion exploring the fund’s impact and future affordability needs. The event was held at Mosaic Community Campus, a community in Park Hill made possible through AHF resources.
“The creation of the Affordable Housing Fund was a milestone in Denver that has made a difference in the lives of thousands of Denverites,” said Jonathan Cappelli, Executive Director, Neighborhood Development Collaborative. “We're looking back at the last decade with pride, and applaud all those who made it possible. As we look to the future, we encourage our city leaders to continue building on this success to make sure all Denverites have the housing they need.”
A total of 91 affordable housing developments, including new units, preserved units, income-restricted apartments, and affordable homeownership units, have been made possible due to the fund. This includes 7,699 homes of which 900 are permanent supportive housing for people exiting homelessness.
The fund has also invested in several critical services, providing access to housing opportunities and stability. Services include temporary rent and utility assistance, eviction legal assistance, mortgage assistance, tenant landlord counseling, housing navigation fair housing advocacy/outreach, permanent supportive housing services, energy outreach, bridge housing, and rapid rehousing.
“Organizations delivering affordable housing can't do it alone,” said Aaron Miripol, president and CEO of Urban Land Conservancy. “It takes bold civic leaders and dedicated funding like Denver's Affordable Housing Fund to create a lasting impact on housing affordability.”
The AHF represents the first dedicated source of local funding to support affordable housing development, preservation, and programs. Prior to creation of the AHF, Denver primarily invested federal funds toward housing, though the city started allocating one-time funds through annual budget appropriations beginning in 2014.
The AHF is resourced through property tax, a per square foot fee on new development called a “linkage fee,” sales tax on recreational marijuana, and the General Fund. Administered by Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST), the fund provides approximately $30 million annually. Eligible uses include the production and preservation of rental, homeownership, and supportive housing as well as programmatic supports such as homebuyer assistance and other services.
In 2018, Denver doubled annual fund revenue from $15 million to $30 million and partnered with the Denver Housing Authority to establish the “DHA Delivers for Denver” (D3) Program to accelerate the pipeline of affordable housing. Through the D3 Program, DHA utilized property tax revenue from the AHF to generate a $129.5 million funding surge for affordable housing over five years.
The AHF has helped fund many notable affordable housing projects throughout Denver, including the Mosaic Community Campus in Park Hill, which has 154 units restricted to households earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income. HOST provided $4.85 million through the AHF for the project, located on a 25-acre former college campus. The campus integrates affordable housing, education, and community café, and business incubator.
Beyond affordable rentals, the fund has also provided numerous income-restricted homeownership opportunities, with 16 projects and 649 units receiving funding over the last decade.
Utilizing the AHF and other revenue sources, HOST is currently funding the construction and preservation of 1,850 affordable homes at 22 sites. An additional 517 affordable homes are in the planning stage and expected to break ground within the next year. Learn more about this inventory at the Denver Affordable Housing Dashboard.
