The Glenwood Springs City Council celebrated Thursday a recent success story: a program turning free-market homes into affordable havens for local workers.

The Good Deeds program, launched by the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition in August, is already making waves by creating homeownership opportunities without building a single new house.

The program offers up to 30% of a home’s purchase price at closing in exchange for a permanent deed restriction. It aims to bridge the gap for moderate to high-income earners who are priced out of homeownership but don’t qualify for traditional housing assistance. By converting renters to homeowners, the program also frees up rental units for lower-income residents.

“We’re trying to acquire free-market housing and bring it off the free market into the affordable market without building anything new,” said April Long, executive director of the coalition. “As a reminder, we have some severe housing issues in this region, in the realm of affordability.”

Since its launch, the program has converted seven homes in Garfield County, including four in Glenwood Springs. These properties now house 11 local workers, many of whom live close to their jobs and schools. Long noted the program’s rapid success.

“We estimated that with $2 million we would be able to do about five to 10 new deed-restricted homes, not new homes, new to the program, homes,” Long said. “We have seen success, tremendous success, in just four months.”

Homes purchased through the program are capped to ensure long-term affordability. Participants must use the property as their primary residence, maintain local employment, and adhere to resale restrictions. The coalition has $162,000 remaining in initial funding but has already received applications from hundreds of interested buyers.

Councillor Erin Zalenski praised the program’s impact. 

“I think that’s such a cool program,” Zalenski said. “The level of success you’ve attained so quickly is kind of dazzling.”

With plans to bring 30 homes into the program by 2026, the coalition is seeking additional funding through grants, government support, and donations. Long emphasized the program’s role in stabilizing the community.

“We’ve seen tremendous appreciation and gratitude from participants,” Long said. “This program is making a real difference in their lives.”