Much of our work at Pikes Peak Housing Network involves advocating for proposed housing developments. As a pro-housing nonprofit, we support all types of housing construction, because we want residents to be able to find homes in all areas of our city that are close to their work and fit their family size and family income.

Our city, like our nation, operates as a constitutional republic, with our City Council acting as our represented government, and it is incumbent on this small group of elected leaders to determine how our city grows to meet the needs of all residents while remaining fiscally sustainable, vibrant and safe. This is a difficult task as each resident has their own opinion on what they value as their ideal neighborhood and home, and these values change as we age and build our families. And, once we find or build this idyllic home in the perfect neighborhood, we typically want our neighborhood to remain the same, without changes.

As we all know, though, change is the only constant in this life and each generation is called to not just preserve our neighborhoods and cities, but to leave them better than we found them for the generations that come after us. This means we accept that change is inevitable and we then promote the changes that can make our neighborhoods and cities more inviting, safer, healthier and more accommodating for citizens of all ages and incomes, especially for the next generation of families who will move to our neighborhoods.

This younger generation, who are our kids’ teachers, frontline workers, military and our own kids, is struggling to find housing they can afford, as housing prices continue to rise far faster than incomes, and our cities aren’t building enough of the housing these younger individuals and families can afford.

Arguably, our city leaders should focus their land use priorities and decisions toward development of rental housing and lower-priced homes like townhouses and starter homes, as these housing types are more affordable for residents who are just building their lives.

Unfortunately, an increasing number of our residents oppose the development of these housing types near their homes and schools, as they view them to be undesirable, unsafe, a drain on resources like schools and parks, and a burden on our roadways.

This opposition to rental housing development is harming our younger workforce and our kids.

Is this really what we want? These future residents to our neighborhoods have no voice in these housing developments, but if they spoke at a council meeting they would tell you that they are just trying to build their lives, no different from anyone else; learning a trade, working up the job ladder toward higher salaries, paying off student loans, getting married and fitting all of the other necessary puzzle pieces together prior to purchasing a home.

Yes, there has been significant rental housing development over the past few years in El Paso County. But even with all this growth, the apartment vacancy rate has dipped from 8.23% at the end of 2025 to 6.57% at the end of the second quarter of 2026. At the same time, rents have increased, on average, by $30 to $1,440 for a one-bedroom apartment over the same time period.

These trends exist because there is a significant and growing need for rental housing that provides safe homes for our growing, younger workforce and seniors who want to downsize. If we want Colorado Springs to truly thrive, then we must support the housing that is needed for all of our citizens, not just those who can afford a single-family home. We must rise above harmful and inaccurate rhetoric that suggests rental housing will harm our neighborhoods and instead support the residents who teach our kids, protect our nation and city, provide our health care. And of course we must support our own adult children, who we hope will find good jobs here in Colorado Springs, plant roots in our neighborhoods, raise families and live alongside us at the foot of Pikes Peak.

Jill Gaebler is executive director of the Pikes Peak Housing Network.