Applications are open for seats on Aurora Housing Authority and the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission — two major boards that lay the groundwork for Aurora’s lawmakers to make decisions.

The Aurora Housing Authority –which helps get residents into affordable housing through partnerships with government entities, investors, landlords and for and non-profit organizations — has two upcoming vacancies starting Jan. 1.

They are adding one more member and an ex-officio member, who is either the mayor or a councilmember designee. The ex-officio member does not vote.

Applications will be accepted until further notice, according to a news release from the city.

In late June, Aurora City Council approved an ordinance that changed the makeup and term requirements of the board.

Prior to the ordinance’s passage, the mayor appointed the members of the board to five-year terms without term limits.

The ordinance states that, starting Jan. 1, 2025, board members are allowed to serve two, three-year terms.

It also changes the requirements for the board members. According to the ordinance, one board member needs experience in affordable housing, one needs finance experience, one needs development experience, one must have lived in affordable housing or experienced homelessness. Three can have general backgrounds, and one must be an ex-officio member.

The ordinance gets rid of current board members before their terms end, then allows them to apply for two, three-year terms.

One board member’s term expired June 30. The ordinance states that they are effectively terminated from the position, but can apply again starting Jan. 1, 2025.

The rest of the board members’ terms have staggering expiration dates over the next two years.

The board meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.

As the Aurora Housing Authority seeks two new members, the Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission, which gives the council recommendations on planning and development, is also looking to fill a seat.

On Monday, the Aurora City Council supported reappointing two of the commission’s members, whose terms expire Dec. 31.

Meanwhile, the city is accepting applications for one more seat. The council will determine which candidates to interview by Dec. 2, interview the candidates Dec. 16 and appoint the new commissioner in January.

Applications are open until Nov. 22 and outgoing commissioners can reapply to be reappointed.

Members must be registered electors and residents of Aurora for at least one year before their appointment, and the terms of services are three years. The commission meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.

To apply for the commission, applicants can call the City Clerk’s Office at 303-739-7094 or visit AuroraGov.org/Boards.