Comprehensive Plan Adopted 2010 - City of Woodland Park

Housing
Background
Woodland Park’s housing supply is reflective of its long history – well over 50% of the houses in the
City are greater than 20 years old. There are a myriad of custom homes and single-family homes
throughout the community as well as townhomes, old cabins, apartments and mobile homes.
However, the range of housing types and costs does not match the demand – many service workers,
teachers, police officers, fire personnel, senior citizens and City employees cannot afford to live in the
City. Future growth will be constrained by the limits of the City’s water supply and the limited land
available for development. As a result, property values may well continue to rise and future efforts
may be focused on maintaining, upgrading and renovating the existing housing supply as well as
expanding new housing stock to meet the community’s needs while upholding the character of the
community and that of individual residential neighborhoods and commercial centers.
As Woodland Park’s housing inventory evolves over time, the City will continue its past efforts and
emphasis on respecting individual property rights, preserving residential property values and ensuring
that neighborhood integrity, character and design are key considerations.
2000 Housing Profile
Table H-1
Occupancy Rates
Total Units: 2,642 Owner Occupied Units: 1,880 Rental Units: 596
% Owner Occupied: 71.2% Owner Occupied Vacancy Rate: 0.9% Rental Vacancy Rate: 4.5%
Source: 2000 Census Data
Age of Housing
Housing was built slowly but consistently before 1970, averaging an addition of 103 housing units per
decade between 1940 and 1970, with 112 housing units constructed in 1939 or earlier. A housing
boom has taken place in Woodland Park over the past 40 years, peaking between 1980 and 1990,
when 28% of all Woodland Park housing units were constructed. (Sources: U.S. Census 2000, City
of Woodland Park, 2009).
Table H-2
Age of Housing
Woodland Park Manitou Springs Teller County Colorado
Median Home Age 22 years 54 years 27 years 27 years
Median Home Cost $232,620 $230,280 $160,600 $229,020
Home Appreciation -4.38% 1.07% -4.20%
Homes Owned 71.51% 51.00% 62.46%
Vacant Homes 6.18% 7.61% 22.8% 8.36%
Homes Rented 22.49% 41.42% 28.56%
Average Rental Rate $780/mo $620/mo
Source: 2000 Census Data
September 2010 Page 19