This summer, our team had the opportunity to connect with neighbors, visitors, and long-time residents at local farmers markets and community events.
Dozens of conversations reminded us just how much our community cares about housing, and the vital role it plays in the health and long-term stability of our valley.
Housing can often feel like a complicated topic, and it’s easy to wonder how all the pieces fit together. At our booth, a few questions came up again and again, so we’ve compiled the answers to the top three questions here.
#1: “Does the Valley Housing Fund build homes?”
The simple answer is: no, we don’t build the homes ourselves.
Instead, we help make those homes possible by awarding six-figure grants to affordable housing projects across the Gunnison Valley. That support does a lot of heavy lifting:
It provides fast and flexible money to secure projects
It keeps construction moving on schedule by removing funding delays
It helps ensure new homes are built with our community’s needs in mind
By focusing on financial support, we allow local governments and private developers to do what they do best, while we do the same: Advocating for long-term, community-driven solutions and keeping resources flowing to the projects that need it most.
#2: “So what does the Valley Housing Fund actually do?”
The Valley Housing Fund (VHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was created by people right here in the Gunnison Valley who saw how tough it was becoming to live and work here long-term.
Our role has grown over the years, but it really comes down to four key strategic goals:
- Funding – we fund affordable, quality housing solutions
- We maximize affordable housing construction in the Gunnison Valley by granting private funds annually to housing developments.
- Facilitation – we connect the right people at the right time
- We foster collaboration between the private and public sectors (e.g., local governments, private developers, community organizations), aligning diverse perspectives to keep projects moving forward.
- Outreach – we advocate and inspire support for housing
- We raise awareness through outreach and education, providing resources to spark informed conversations and rally support for housing solutions.
- Leadership – we serve as active community leaders
- We have an active seat at the table, participating in discussions and decision-making to proactively shape the future of housing.
At the heart of it all, our mission is simple: to work collaboratively to create and support affordable and accessible housing opportunities that strengthen the Gunnison Valley community.
#3: “Are you the Housing Authority? And what’s going on with the Housing Authority in 2025?”
This was the other big question we heard this summer. No, we are not the Housing Authority. But we do work closely alongside them.
Here’s the difference:
- The Valley Housing Fund (VHF) is an independent nonprofit, funded by private donations and grants. We raise money, fund housing projects, and advocate for affordable and accessible housing solutions throughout the Gunnison Valley.
- The Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority (GVRHA) is a quasi-governmental organization created by local governments in 2012. They manage affordable rentals, qualify buyers for deed-restricted homes, monitor deed restrictions, and run home efficiency programs.
The GVRHA board recently voted to begin the process of restructuring its responsibilities into a separate entity (with a similar title) – the Gunnison County Housing Authority.
The intention behind this change is to create more stability and long-term success for the programs GVRHA offers, while ensuring our housing system is equipped to meet the valley’s growing needs. GVRHA will continue to operate “business as usual” through the end of this year, and the restructuring will take effect starting in 2026.
Meanwhile, VHF will continue to do our work: raising funds, increasing community awareness, advocating for long-term housing solutions, and fostering collaboration across the valley.
Why These Questions Matter
We are grateful to everyone who stopped by our booth this summer. Your questions, ideas, and even your concerns help shape the work we do. They remind us that housing isn’t just a policy issue or a construction project. It’s about people’s lives and the future of our community.
Asking questions and staying curious are among the most important ways we can keep moving this conversation forward. The more we talk about housing, the more momentum we build toward real solutions.
Thank you for being part of the conversation and for caring about this place we all call home.