Ruby B and B affordable housing finding its niche in Crested Butte

Parks and Rec the majority of the tenants

[  By Mark Reaman  ]

One of the more unusual ways the town of Crested Butte has addressed the affordable housing issue was to purchase the Ruby Bed and Breakfast and turn the property into a place for working locals. The original idea was use it for seasonal employees of the town, such as Parks and Rec crew members working in the summer. To some extent, that is how it has worked out with the majority of the tenants being town employees.

Bought for $2.3 million in 2021, the Ruby has six rooms. Five can accommodate double occupancy while the other one can accommodate triple occupancy. Currently, six people are settled in five of the rooms and a sixth space was just released to house a qualifying person. Five of the six current occupants are town employees. Two are full-time, year-round employees and three are part-time seasonal coaches in the CB recreation department.

Crested Butte housing director Erin Ganser said that while the 3,300-square-foot property can handle up to 13 people, most interested parties are single occupants. The property is managed by the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority (GVRHA).

“Five rooms have an en suite bathroom while the fifth has its own bathroom that can be locked, but is accessed from a common hallway,” Ganser said of the layout. “We furnished each room with a bed, dresser, desk and chair as well as a small refrigerator so that tenants can store their food separately. There is a common kitchen and two living room areas, and a shared laundry. Wi-Fi and all utilities are included in the rent. The kitchen is fully equipped with cooking equipment and tenants supply their own utensils, dishes, as well as pillows and linens. 

“Tenants are required to clean up after themselves and GVRHA cleans the common areas twice per month,” Ganser continued. “Both common living rooms have a TV with a YouTube account and Amazon Firestick for community use. Because it is a common living arrangement, we ask that people be respectful when choosing what to watch on the common TV, be mindful of volume and observe reasonable quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.”

Pets are not permitted but emotional/service animals are allowed. Each tenant may have one vehicle with the limited parking being a first-come, first served basis. There are no parking spaces for trailers.

“We changed the restrictions around the allowance for visitors as it was not well received,” Ganser explained of the original rule to not permit any overnight guests. “Consistent with GVRHA’s other properties, guests are allowed. If they stay longer than two weeks, we ask that they be added to the lease. Additionally, as a common living property, we ask that guests are not given door codes or keys, and that they are accompanied by the hosting tenant when they are coming and going from the property or hanging out in the common areas.”

As the property enters its second season housing local workers, Ganser said there has been some turnover as expected. “We get the impression that tenants are happy with the arrangement and appreciate that it is available,” said Ganser. “We’ve been able to use the property to help respond to a staff member with a housing emergency, and are pleased that lease up for this season was faster than fall 2021. Those that left either were seasonal or at the end of their lease. Our goal for the property was to house seasonal workers; however, a couple have stayed on from winter season into this summer.”

Since the goal was to have a place for town employees to live, Ganser said the property is serving that purpose. “Having access to housing did help Parks and Rec hire coaches for recreation programs,” she said. “Our initial target was for full-time seasonal summer parks staff, and we are hoping to see that group use the space more in the future as we remain very understaffed in those positions. 

“We’re still learning what works best with the building, what is best received by our target tenants, and our goals for the property,” Ganser concluded. “Town works closely with the GVRHA to problem solve and explore solutions, and we actively seek feedback from tenants to learn how it is working from their perspective.”

The rent is $500 single occupancy and all tenants must be employed in Gunnison County. The town pays the GVRHA $1,000/month to manage the space.