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Homeownership Matters: A Nonpartisan Voter Guide

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Housing shapes our communities, influences economic opportunity, and affects the quality of life of individuals and families across Metro Denver. Decisions made by elected officials can impact housing affordability, homeownership opportunities, and neighborhood investment.

This nonpartisan guide provides information about the role housing and homeownership play in communities, highlights housing issues voters may wish to consider when evaluating candidates, and connects readers to candidate and voting resources.

This guide does not endorse or oppose any candidate, political party, or ballot measure.

Table of Contents

  1. Homeownership: A foundation for opportunity
  2. Key housing issues in our state to consider when reviewing candidates
  3. Candidates in the Metro Denver area
  4. More voting resources

Section 1: Foundation for opportunity

Stable, affordable homes create opportunities for households and communities to thrive. Research consistently shows that our homes play a critical role in supporting health, economic stability, and overall opportunity. In particular, affordable homeownership strengthens household and community outcomes around health, safety, economic vitality, and more. Here are a few examples of how housing intersects with these important measures of well-being.

  • Economic mobility and job retention. Access to housing near jobs can improve employee retention, reduce commuting costs, and strengthen local economies. In 2025, the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce’s B.O.L.D. Housing Initiative found that employees with a commute of 15 minutes or less were 20% more likely to stay with their employer, highlighting the connection between housing availability and workforce stability.

Learn more: Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce, Mapping Arvada’s income-Aligned Housing Supply (2025)

  • Educational success. Housing stability can improve educational outcomes for children by reducing school disruptions and creating consistent spaces for learning. Habitat for Humanity International notes that affordable homeownership is linked to better school attendance, stronger academic performance, and improved long-term educational opportunities for children. With consistent and affordable mortgage payments, adults also have increased financial and mental capacity to continue their education through certifications or degree programs, strengthening their career growth. Tirzah, a Habitat homeowner for nearly 10 years, supported her kids’ education – and went back to school herself – after moving into her Habitat home.

Learn more: Habitat for Humanity International, The Role of Housing in Educational Opportunities
Related reading: Habitat Metro Denver, Building Futures: How Affordable Homeownership Shapes Educational Success

Good health and well-being. Safe, stable housing can support both physical and mental health by reducing stress and providing a secure environment. In contrast, research consistently shows that housing instability is associated with higher rates of chronic health conditions, poorer mental health outcomes, and increased financial strain. Habitat International found that time spent at home plays a powerful role in shaping people’s daily lives and long-term well-being. Related reading: For Habitat homeowners in our aging-in-place program, home improvements can be critical tools to improve health outcomes and a sense of stability. Read Phyllis’s experience with housing modifications that restored her confidence and comfort after a fall.

  • Jobs in our communities. Strong communities depend on stable housing opportunities for residents across income levels. Additionally, the industry of affordable housing providers is a key employer and economic driver in our state. A study by the Colorado Futures Center at Colorado State University found that the construction and preservation of affordable homes supported 14,275 full- and part-time jobs statewide between 2018 and 2023 and generated approximately $2.66 billion in annual economic activity.

Learn more: Colorado Futures Center, The Economic Impact of Affordable Housing in Colorado, 2018-2023

  • Financial flexibility and education. Homeownership remains one of the most common ways families build wealth and create financial security . Habitat for Humanity International reports that affordable homeownership can help families build equity, increase financial resilience, and create opportunities for long-term economic mobility. A recent study found that Habitat homeowners increase their credit scores by 22 points more than similar non-Habitat individuals, with these gains growing over time, and that Habitat homeowners accumulate more liquid assets than similar non-Habitat households, reaching an increase of  $4,400 more than comparable households by the sixth year of homeownership.”

Learn more: Habitat for Humanity International, Paths to Stability and Wealth

One homeowner’s story of financial education and stability: Habitat homeowner Shevy said the financial education she gained in Habitat’s homeownership program gave her a sense of confidence in her financial life – and helped her establish habits focused on long-term financial planning. “Everyone can benefit from financial education, especially women, to feel ownership of finances and know how to manage and steward them,” Shevy said. Read more

A spectrum of housing solutions

Housing solutions exist along a continuum, from emergency shelter and supportive housing to affordable rental homes and homeownership. A healthy housing ecosystem requires all of these options, along with pathways that help people move toward greater housing and financial stability as their needs and goals evolve.

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver focuses on expanding and preserving affordable homeownership opportunities for households earning approximately 50% to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). While every housing solution serves an important purpose, homeownership can provide a unique opportunity for long-term stability, wealth building, and community investment.

The specific impact of homeownership

Homeownership remains one of the most effective ways to build wealth and create long-term financial security. Beyond providing a place to live, it allows people to build equity, create generational assets, and put down roots in their communities.

Research shows that affordable homeownership can contribute to:

  • Greater housing stability. Unlike renting, homeownership can provide more predictable long-term housing costs and reduce the risk of displacement due to rising rents or lease nonrenewal. This stability allows people to remain in their homes and communities for longer periods.
  • Stronger financial resilience: Homeowners build equity with each mortgage payment, creating an asset that can support future goals, weather financial challenges, and contribute to long-term wealth building.
  • Deeper community investment. Homeowners are more likely to remain in their neighborhoods over time, fostering stronger connections and greater participation in local civic life through volunteering, community organizations, and voting.

Section 2: Key housing issues in our state to consider when reviewing candidates

From land use and housing development to homeownership programs and neighborhood investments, local elections directly impact housing affordability, stability, and wealth-building opportunities.

As you learn about candidates and prepare to vote, consider how they address the following housing issues.

Issue 1: Affordable homeownership

Many Metro Denver residents face barriers to homeownership, such as out-of-reach home prices, limited ability to build savings for a down payment, and challenges accessing affordable mortgage financing.

Questions for candidates:

  • How will you increase access to affordable homeownership opportunities?
  • What role should down payment assistance programs play in helping families purchase homes?
  • How will you support first-time and first-generation homebuyers?
  • For communities that have historically been excluded from homeownership opportunities, how will you help close those gaps?

Issue 2: Housing affordability across the continuum

Housing affordability affects both renters and homeowners. Communities need a range of housing options that meet the needs of working families, older adults, and people at different income levels.

Questions for candidates:

  • How will you improve housing affordability for working families?
  • What types of housing are most needed in our community, and what solutions would you propose to meet those needs?
  • How will you support residents as they move from renting to homeownership?
  • What community partners will you engage across the housing continuum?

Issue 3: Housing supply and development

 Expanding the supply of attainable homes can help create more choices for residents at different stages of life.

Questions for candidates:

  • How will you increase the supply of attainable homes in our community? What specific housing products – like modular, ADUs, or other housing models – do you think are effective for increasing supply?
  • What barriers to housing development should be addressed?
  • How can local policies encourage a wider range of housing options?

Issue 4: Repairs and preservation

Housing stability helps residents remain connected to their communities and can reduce displacement. Preserving existing housing and supporting current homeowners are important parts of maintaining strong neighborhoods.

Questions for candidates:

  • How will you help current homeowners remain in their homes as housing costs rise?
  • What investments should be made in home repair, rehabilitation, and preservation programs?
  • How will you protect long-term residents from displacement while supporting community growth?

Be an informed housing voter

As you evaluate candidates with the goal of housing access and affordability, ask yourself:

  • Which housing challenges most affect me, my family, or my community?
  • What strategies do candidates propose to expand affordable homeownership?
  • Which proposals support long-term housing stability and neighborhood preservation?
  • Are the proposed solutions specific, achievable, and clearly defined?
  • How have candidates addressed housing issues through their past actions, votes, or leadership experience?

Section 3: List of candidates in the Metro Denver area

 

Section 4: More voting resources

Make your voice count

This November, make sure that you are registered to vote – Colorado makes it easy to check! Visit GoVoteColorado.gov to see your registration status and to register if you haven’t already. Voters must register online or by mail by Monday, October 26, 2026. You can also register in person on election day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Here are some important voting deadlines: 

  • Early voting from Monday, October 19 to Monday, November 2
  • Mail-in ballots must be received by no later than 7 pm MST on election day. If you are not sure if your ballot will arrive in time, drop it off in person.
  • In-person voting Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 7 am MST to 7 pm MST

To find where your local Polling Location and Drop Box is, please click here. And if you would like to track your ballot, please visit BallotTrax here.

 Vote 411 is another great resource to learn about what is on your ballot. This site simplifies the language used on ballot measures that may be confusing. 
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