Colorado Springs is facing a critical housing shortage, and Royal Pine Apartments is an important response to this pressing housing need. Despite a historic demand for housing, the proposed 232-unit affordable housing development, strategically in north Colorado Springs near UCHealth and Children’s Hospitals, has been met with persistent opposition, delaying vital progress for our community and so many of our community members.

The journey for Royal Pine Apartments has been arduous. Approved by the Colorado Springs Planning Commission in January 2024, the project has since faced a series of legal challenges from a vocal group of neighbors in the Pine Creek neighborhood. Their appeal of the project to the City Council was overwhelmingly rejected. Still, they then quickly followed that defeat with a formal complaint for judicial review that was dismissed by the court, with prejudice, a full year later.

After the City Council approved $60 million in federal bonds for the project—specifically earmarked for affordable housing—another lawsuit was filed, only to be dismissed again in July. Affordable housing is built with some public funds that ensure rents are set at levels that lower-income residents can afford.

The project developer, now having dealt with frivolous lawsuits for over 18 months, filed a lawsuit against the Pine Creek Neighborhood LLC in July. This lawsuit alleges the neighborhood misused the judicial system with malicious intent and torturous interference, to stall this needed affordable housing project indefinitely. The lawsuit requests unspecified damages to be determined.

These numerous and continual legal battles are not just about this single development, as they represent a concerning trend of “Not In My BackYard” (NIMBY) obstructionism that hinders progress and perpetuates housing unaffordability. These tactics are designed to delay and ultimately defeat the project, and are short-sighted and self-serving.

They add significant costs to project development — costs that are ultimately passed on to renters, effectively increasing the cost of housing for our lower-income residents. Ironically, homeowners who likely benefited from more affordable mortgage and interest rates in past years are now actively working to prevent younger residents from receiving the same housing benefits they enjoy.

Affordable housing near jobs, schools, and essential services is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for our nurses, teachers, military members, and service industry workers. Individuals earning up to $63,040 qualify for this affordable housing, and Royal Pine Apartments offer particular advantages for these residents.

Proximity to major health care facilities offers shorter commutes for hospital workers and others working up north by reducing their transportation costs while improving their quality of life and time with family. It also reduces overall congestion and wear and tear on our roads, benefiting road users and taxpayers.

It’s time for community members in all neighborhoods to stand in support of developments like Royal Pine Apartments. We should all be advocating for housing solutions that are affordable to residents at all income levels, not just for those who can afford the escalating costs of home ownership.

Ensuring all residents have the same housing opportunities as previous generations is not just the right thing to do, but also essential for our region’s economic health, vitality and ongoing prosperity.

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