Civic leaders and city officials gathered Friday to celebrate the installation of modular units for the Craig Housing Authority’s 8th Street Redevelopment Project.

The event marked a significant milestone in the campaign for more affordable housing in Craig and showcased the progress on the 20-unit complex. Situated on the former Memorial Hospital site on 8th Street, the two-story development consists of 12 two-bedroom units and eight three-bedroom units.

The land for the development was donated by Memorial Regional Health and Moffat County. The project aims to provide affordable housing options to local families and employees of Memorial Regional Health.

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Craig mayor Chris Nichols expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing that it is the first larger-scale, multi-family housing project constructed in Craig in 40 years.

Nichols shared that the Craig Housing Authority’s ultimate hope for the project is to “provide an opportunity for families and those who yearn to own a home — a beautiful, convenient, safe, comfortable place to live, raise their family or just grow old.”

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The development has been funded using state and federal grants, which require the units to meet specific affordability criteria, including income limits and appreciation caps. Eligible households must earn between 80% and 140% of Moffat County’s Area Median Income, dependent on household size. According to Nichols, this ranges from an income of $50,000 to $133,000.

The units are also deed restricted with restrictions for use as a short or long-term rental property, and will need to be used as primary residences.

Nichols credited various supporters and stakeholders for the project, including the Moffat County commissioners, Memorial Regional Health CEO Jennifer Riley, and Senator Dylan Roberts — whom Nichols described as “a friend of affordable housing throughout the state of Colorado.”

The Yampa Valley Community Foundation has also been an important player in the project, providing the Craig Housing Authority with a $2.5 million impact-investment loan to help finance construction.

“There’s no question affordable housing is a major need across the entire valley,” said foundation Vice Chair Rob Race. “Access to high-quality and safe housing is a leading factor in a person’s physical and mental health.”

Lauding the city for its “thoughtful and deliberate approach” to the affordable housing issue, Race said that the foundation has likewise identified affordable housing development in the valley as one of its “key priorities” for future work and hoped to continue collaborating with Craig officials in the future.

“Housing affordability is critical to a thriving economy,” Race emphasized.

With construction coming along swiftly, the units are expected to be ready for purchase this August.

Project contractor ProSet Construction’s Sam Williams called the development “an excellent project that’s going to serve the community of Craig well for many, many years.”

Williams shared that, as a former subcontractor himself, he recognized that having a nonlocal contractor heading up a project can sometimes be “a little disconcerting.”

He praised both the Craig community and the subcontractors involved with the project, noting that all but two of the subcontractors were local hires.

“We’re all here to put out the best product that we possibly can, not only for the Craig Housing Authority but for the eventual owners of these properties as well,” Williams said.

Pre-applications for the units are currently being accepted. Prospective buyers will need to verify their household income to ensure they meet eligibility requirements under the terms of the grant.

The units will feature energy-efficient appliances, standard finishes and small-fenced backyards with storage sheds and carports for two parking spaces per household.

City Manager Peter Brixius, who is also the housing authority’s executive director, said the project was the result of “a great collaboration” between the many groups involved.

While praising the work of the county commissioners and City Council, Brixius himself received a round of spontaneous applause for his efforts to get the project off the ground. He acknowledged that there is still work ahead, but Brixius embraced the moment by saying, “it’s taken a long time to get here.”