Findings in the 2008 Colorado College "State of the Rockies Report Card" give El Paso County a "B-" and Pueblo County a "D" on affordable housing. Researchers compared the difference between the fair market rental price to the median household income in each community.

The 120 page report covers a range of issues, including renewable energy, river restoration, immigration and employment trends. Undergraduate students researched and wrote on each of the regional issues in the report.

With new concerns about the U.S. housing market and the subprime mortgage mess, affordable housing is becoming a major concern.

Compared to cities like New York or San Francisco, it might seem like Colorado Springs and other communities have nothing to complain about.

However, researchers and housing experts say affordable housing is relative, when you consider costs versus income levels.

During a workshop on the affordable housing report, students and citizens piled into vans. Local experts gave a mobile tour of government or non-profit funded affordable housing projects. strategically spread throughout Colorado Springs.

Colorado College senior Wiley Rogers organized the workshop and the affordable housing report.

He said the housing crisis is putting pressure on the rental market. As a result, rentals are a hot commodity.

At the end of 2007, local surveys showed a vacancy rate of less than 10%, with little or no new construction in sight.

Without affordable housing, the report says communities lose policemen, teachers - the working class.

The report also points out Colorado has become a retirement destination, which Rogers said could have serious social ramifications down the road.

He said, "I think a lot of housing authorities are worried about, if you can't afford your house, you can't pay for health care costs, utility bills, transportation."