High home prices, lack of supply sever metro residents from communities

summer, he felt like he’d won the lottery. After more than a decade of chasing the cheapest rent across the metro area, the Littleton bartender nally has a house to call his own.

middle-income people live where they work. But as cities and towns contend with historically high home costs and a lack of supply, residents like Laney have struggled to live in their communities.

Kane said the district is in the unique position of having an area experiencing a drop in enrollment surrounded by developing neighborhoods that require new schools, which will likely result in consolidation and construction at the same time.

“Our hope is to begin to communicate to our community the challenge we’re facing with growth and decline,” Kane said.

BY ROBERT TANN COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

When Chris Laney moved into his new three-bedroom home last

“I almost feel guilty that I have it,” said Laney, 49.

Laney is one of a handful of residents who have secured housing through a subsidized program aimed at helping lower- and

“I’ve always felt like I was just passing through instead of living somewhere, putting down roots,” said Laney. He has worked

4.62%

At this point in time, no speci c schools have been identi ed for consolidation and the district is promising there will be no job loss.

Dealing with decline

Across the district, enrollment is

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