Points Consulting LLC has been selected to perform a county-wide Housing Assessment for San Juan County. The assessment, which is currently underway, is expected to reach completion in April 2024.
The firm will work alongside a Native American consultant to ensure the study includes valuable insight from an Indigenous perspective. The assessment process was designed to include all San Juan County communities, specifically including the Ute Mountain Ute community of White Mesa and the Navajo Nation.
The initiative began in March 2023 following discussions between the Economic Development & Visitor Services office, local stakeholders, housing sector professionals, and public officials. These discussions focused on community needs, current housing projects, potential partners, and desired outcomes for the assessment.
A subcommittee was formed to draft a Request For Proposal (RFP) to secure a consulting firm. The drafting process involved several months of research and collaboration to ensure the study met specific requirements, such as the necessity for firms with experience communicating with Indigenous communities during public meetings.
The San Juan County Economic Development Department was selected from over 600 projects to host a Fellow through the International Economic Development Council's Economic Recovery Corps program. This Fellow will assist municipalities in using assessment findings to develop strategic plans for their housing markets during a term of just over two years.
Funding for the project is supported in part by a $51,000 Rural Opportunities Grant awarded by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.
The findings from the assessment will be made available to each municipality to help them create strategies for serving their specific communities. The project aims to move the San Juan County housing market in a positive direction for both new and existing residents.
