Workforce housing is about more than buildings, it’s about security

At Tuesday’s Estes Park Housing Authority meeting, the board made a decision that matters deeply—not just for residents of Fall River Village, but for the future of our entire community.
By unanimously rejecting the unsolicited proposal to sell 24 workforce housing units and the SkyView property in bulk, the board chose to uphold its mission: to support a sustainable community by ensuring housing for local workers. That decision deserves recognition.

But this moment is also a reminder of what’s truly at stake.

Workforce housing is not just about buildings. It is about whether the people who keep this town running can afford to live here. It is about whether essential services remain accessible. It is about whether families can put down roots, contribute, and stay.

I am one of only two public health dental providers serving the Estes Valley. I also had the privilege, with the Salud Foundation’s support, of helping to create a program that provides free dental care to all children in the Estes Park School District. If my family is forced out due to housing instability, that program is at risk, along with access to care for many local children.

When we moved to Fall River Village, we did so with the understanding that we would have time—time to build stability, to serve our community, and to work toward eventual homeownership. That understanding shaped major life decisions for my family and others.

While I am grateful the board rejected this particular proposal, uncertainty remains. The timeline for potential unit sales and the path to ownership for residents are still unclear. For workforce housing to truly serve its purpose, it must offer not only shelter, but stability and a viable future.

Estes Park depends on its workforce. Healthcare providers, teachers, service workers, and small business employees are not separate from this community—they are the community.
Protecting workforce housing means protecting the people who make this town function every day.

I urge the Housing Authority to continue aligning its actions with its mission by ensuring transparency, honoring the expectations set with residents, and creating a clear, attainable path forward for those who call Fall River Village home.

Because when workforce families can stay, Estes Park stays strong.

Susan Whiteneck, Estes Park