More than five years after Ridgway was selected for an affordable housing project, ground broke on the Space to Create building this summer.

When complete, there will be 30 apartments available to rent to people earning up to 80% of the area median income, aimed at helping people who live and work in the community find an affordable, stable rental.

While the project was initially pitched to provide housing for those involved in creative jobs or hobbies, rules from one of the project’s main funde...