About MIHA
The Middle Income Housing Authority (MIHA) was established by Colorado SB22-232 and amended by SB23-035 . MIHA is a special purpose authority independent from the state whose purpose is to promote affordable rental housing projects for the middle-income workforce throughout Colorado.MIHA is governed by a Board of Directors composed of appointees by the Governor, the OEDIT Executive Director, and DOLA’s Division of Housing Director. MIHA will support middle-income workforce housing by providing financing opportunities for rental units between 80% and 120% AMI, or 140% AMI for rural resort areas. The primary tools offered by MIHA include issuing bonds and entering into public-private partnerships. The MIHA Board of Directors makes all decisions for the Authority. MIHA is currently administered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). MIHA has partnered with Sierra Management Group as the financial advisor for application review. Sierra Management Group provides financial advisory services.MIHA has the power to issue bonds to finance affordable rental housing projects or to accomplish any of its powers or duties relating to affordable rental housing projects. The bonds may be payable from any the revenues or assets of MIHA and may be secured by any of MIHA’s revenues, assets or property. MIHA’s income, property, bonds and interest on MIHA’s bonds are exempt from state and local taxation and assessments and its purchase and use of property are exempt from state and local sales and use taxes. MIHA may make payments in lieu of taxes to the state or local governments.MIHA is currently administered as a pilot program with the goal to select up to 3,500 proposed middle-income units for bond financing. Eighty percent of the units must be new build construction. A report on the pilot program will be submitted to the legislature as this goal nears completion.
The Need
Middle-income workers in Colorado face a rising shortage of affordable housing—a gap that is unfilled by private market development and most existing affordable housing programs. Many state and federal affordable housing programs, including low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC), serve individuals and households at 80% AMI and below. MIHA is uniquely positioned to serve households between 80% and 120% AMI, or 140% AMI in rural resort communities (subject to increase by the Board based on local market conditions). Creating housing at these AMI levels helps renters including nurses, teachers, firefighters, and other members of communities who earn too much to qualify for governmental housing subsidies and for whom the market is not building new housing.
Powers of the Authority
MIHA has the power to acquire, own, operate, and finance affordable rental housing projects.
MIHA has the power to issue bonds to finance affordable rental housing projects or to accomplish any of its powers or duties relating to affordable rental housing projects. The bonds may be payable from any the revenues or assets of MIHA and may be secured by any of MIHA’s revenues, assets, or property.
MIHA is authorized to enter into public-private partnerships and to contract with experienced real estate professionals to develop and operate affordable rental housing projects.
MIHA may provide housing assistance to tenants in its affordable rental housing projects to help them purchase homes, but the assistance may only be provided from funds not needed for developing projects.
Additional powers of the authority are outlined in SB22-232 and SB23-035
Application
MIHA relaunched the application process with the MIHA: Webinar for Developers and Stakeholders on March 8, 2024. Please see the Events page to access the webinar. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The application document is linked below.
Directions for form: Click on the link above and download the document as a Word Document. This is done by clicking "File" in the top left corner and scrolling down to "Download". Then click "Microsoft Word".
Selection Process
In March 2023 MIHA launched the initial project selection process and conditionally selected six projects. MIHA reopened the selection process on March 8, 2024 and is currently accepting applications. Sign up for MIHA emails to stay informed. MIHA is seeking new units in addition to acquisition projects and is required to maintain at least 80% of its portfolio as new units.MIHA is authorized to issue tax exempt bonds to finance affordable rental housing projects. The bonds will be payable from the project revenues. Once MIHA establishes a portfolio of projects, the bonds may be secured by MIHA’s revenues, assets or property.Developers are expected to submit a complete list of funding sources in addition to the MIHA bonds. Private sector developers fees are limited to an amount less than the customarily used for LIHTC projects as of June 3, 2022.
Program Priorities
The Authority shall give preference to proposed Affordable Rental Housing Projects that promote one or more of the following goals and objectives:
Increase the supply of affordable workforce housing in urban, rural, and rural resort communities across the state that responds to each community's demonstrated need for middle-income projects in which at least 60% of units within a particular development are available to rent or are actively rented to middle-income individuals and families.
Create opportunities to build intergenerational wealth for families.
Meaningfully contribute to the alleviation of housing pressures the local workforce faces.
Provide for the long-term affordability of rental units.
Have minimal negative impact on existing or planned affordable housing projects in the state, which impacts shall be evaluated by the Authority in consultation with other housing authorities, nonprofits, local governments, or any other applicable entity.
Target a diverse range of income levels within the income restricted housing component for middle-income individuals and families and proposes at least 30% of the rental units for individuals and families with annual income of the household at 80% of the AMI of households of that size in the county in which the housing is located or demonstrably targets the lowest possible AMI for middle-income individuals and families given the proposed scope of the development.
Promote mixed-income development where a percentage of units, proportional to the local demonstrated housing needs within a particular development, have restricted availability to households at the income levels for middle-income individuals and families. The percentage of restricted units and affordability levels must comply with any local laws promoting the development of new affordable housing units.
This list of criteria can be found in See Section 29-4-1107(1)(c)(I-VII) of SB22-232.
Resources
MIHA in the News
Denver Voice: Gov. Polis proposes plan to build more housing as units for low-income Coloradans disappearOEDIT Press Release: OEDIT Announces Former San Miguel County Commissioner as Head of New Innovative Housing Programs
Links & Resources
Legislation
Colorado SB22-232: Creation Of Colorado Workforce Housing Trust Authority
ColoradoSB23-035: Concerning the operation of the Middle-Income Housing AuthorityHousing in Colorado: News and Reports
Denver Post: Colorado's Affordable Housing Crisis Has Spread from the Mountains to the Front Range
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority: Area Median Incomes By County and Household Size - 2023
Bell Policy Center: Colorado Housing Primer
Colorado Newsline: Gov. Jared Polis Delivers Housing-Centric State of the State Speech to Colorado Lawmakers
Future of Colorado: Roadmap to Colorado's Future: 2026
Rocky Mountain Institute: Solving Colorado’s Housing and Climate Crisis
Up for Growth: 2023 Housing Underproduction in the U.S.Community Need & Support
Urban Institute: Seven Ways to Improve Community Involvement in Local Policymaking
Colorado Health Institute: Making a Home for HealthOffice of Economic Development and International Trade Newsletter
Sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of OEDIT's homepage.Tools and Guides
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA): Developers Guide - a step-by-step guide through the development process with tools to analyze affordable housing needs in your community.
Enterprise: Affordable Housing Decarbonization Hub - a consolidation of tools and information from the basics of understanding decarbonization to finding and accessing financial resources.
HUD Exchange: Funding Navigator Tool - provides information on funding opportunities through federal programs including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Additional Middle-Income Funding Resources:
Events
Accepting Applications for MIHA Board Member
MIHA is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Board. If you are interested in applying, please submit an application here. Applications are due by May 15, 2024.
Upcoming Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Monthly | Regularly scheduled Board meetings |
Past Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Monthly | Regularly scheduled Board meetings |
| 3/14/2024 | MIHA Webinar for Local Governments - Virtual - View the slides and the recording. See the email notification of the webinar here. Be sure to join our mailing list to receive this content in the future. |
| 3/8/2024 | MIHA Webinar for Developers and General Stakeholders - Virtual - View the slides and the recording. See the email notification of the webinar here. Be sure to join our mailing list to receive this content in the future. |
| 4/18/2023 | MIHA Overview Event - Virtual - View the slides and the recording. |
| 2/28/2023 | Stakeholder Event (In-Person) Location: Gary Community Ventures, 1705 17th St #200, Denver, CO, 80202 |
| 2/28/2023 | Stakeholder Event (Virtual) Location: Virtual - View the slides and the recording. |
Reports
The Middle Income Housing Authority is required to submit quarterly reports, annual reports, and annual budget documents. MIHA must also publish a pilot program report once the goal of creating or preserving 3,500 middle-income units is near completion. Links to these reports can be found below or are available upon request.
Annual Reports
Budget Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
You can email us directly at info@coloradomiha.com or sign up for our mailing list: