Media Contact: Chynna Cowart
chynna.cowart@state.co.us | 303-656-7464
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), through the Division of Housing’s State Housing Board, has voted on and awarded more than 24 million dollars in funding to bring more affordable housing options to Coloradans across the state.
To meet the challenges of a rapidly changing population, the State of Colorado aims to provide a continuum of housing choices for households with different needs and Area Median Incomes (AMI), and for those seeking housing accompanied by supportive services.
Affordable Housing in Development
1. BlueBird Boulder ($1.8M)
Bluebird Boulder is a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) project seeking to address the needs of Boulder residents experiencing homelessness.
There will be 40 apartments in the building, including 8 studios and 32 one-bedrooms. With trauma-informed design principles in place, common areas will be used for activities and meetings, and residents will be protected by safety cameras and staff available 24 hours a day.
The highly energy-efficient building with an all-electric ready design will be constructed with a wood frame on concrete spread footings and a concrete post-tension slab on grade foundation, with a flat, membrane style roof. Exterior panels will be made of flat-lock metal and barn wood. Access to the upper floors will be provided by an elevator located near the building's entrance and two stair cores. Residents will have access to Wi-Fi internet access, refrigerators, electric stoves, and ovens in all leased units. Building amenities include on-site laundry, on-site management, and a sensory garden, community room, and picnic area.
2. Casa De Los Arcos ($981.25K)
This project incorporates the refinance and rehabilitation of Casa De Los Arcos, a 16-unit senior housing development built in 1978 and located in Pagosa Springs.
The rehabilitation budget includes replacement of exterior siding, replacement of flooring and cabinets, repairs to walls and ceilings, interior painting, upgrade of appliances and necessary upgrades to mechanical, plumbing and heating systems.
Once updated, the property will consist of 15 one-bedroom units and 1 two-bedroom unit.
3. Montview Manor ($3.35M)
The Division of Housing (DOH) loan of up to $3,350,000 to assist with the acquisition and rehabilitation of Montview Manor.
This is an 88-unit senior affordable housing community located within a block of City Park in Denver. Montview is a 13-floor high rise apartment that has provided affordable housing for seniors since the building opened in 1964. Montview includes efficiency, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units and serves senior residents with a range of incomes from 20% AMI to 100% AMI with 22 units at or below 30% AMI.
Among the building's amenities are a community library, resident lounges and meeting areas, on-site laundry, a fitness room, a profitable guest room, a garden with a koi pond, and a barbershop. A small commercial kitchen, dining room, and 360-degree balcony can be found on the top floor of the building. Two elevators are also located in the building.
4. River Walk Affordable Housing ($675K)
The Home Trust of Ouray County has been awarded $675,000 for the acquisition of land to eventually construct 12 rental units in Ouray.
The proposed unit mix is 4 one-bedroom and one-bath units, and 8 two-bedroom and two-bath units. Among the proposed units, six are at 60% AMI and six are at 80% AMI. Approximately 1,050 square feet will be allocated to the two-bedroom units, while 600 square feet will be allocated to the one-bedroom units. In addition to having backyards along the river, these units will be in close proximity to a walking path into town.
5. Ralston Gardens ($2.55M)
Mile High Development and Brinshore Development are requesting funds for the construction of Ralston Gardens Apartments, a 102-unit family project located in Arvada’s “Ralston Valley”.
The area is at the center of a strong single-family housing area and an established retail area that will provide residents with pedestrian access to employment and shopping centers.
The rental units at Ralston Gardens will accommodate households between 30% and 70% of Area Median Income (AMI). There will be 66 one-bedroom units, 32 two-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom units.
A naturally reflective "cool roof" will be on this four-story building, which will have a slab on grade foundation and Type 5 wood frame construction. Two elevators and two stair cores will serve the building. The exterior of the building contains masonry, colored cementitious panels, and metal accents. Project amenities include an on-site leasing office, community room, fully equipped fitness room, enclosed private outdoor courtyard, a plaza, a secure indoor bike storage room, as well as a Neighborhood EcoPass for each resident.
6. Eagle Meadow Homes ($2.6M)
The Division of Housing State Housing Board has awarded a loan of up to $2,604,000 to assist for the new construction of Eagle Meadow Homes (EMH) on 2nd Avenue in the City Center North neighborhood in Aurora.
The first phase of this development will be made of 93 affordable rental units with affordability ranging from 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). 24 units (25.8%) will be available to families earning 40% AMI, including 11 units (11.8%) at 30% AMI.
The property includes a clubhouse, playground, tot lot, community room, computer lab, community garden, BBQ area, and a resident gathering area overlooking Tollgate Creek. All units have E-Star appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, ceiling fans, coat closets, and patios or balconies.
For all residents, CHP will provide tutoring after school, adult education, an on-site Resident Services Coordinator and office to assist with case management, navigation of government and community resources, rental assistance loan and grant administration, and community events.
7. 2700 WeWatta ($3M)
TGTHR (formerly Attention Homes) and Rivet Development were awarded $3,000,000 for the construction of 2700 Wewatta, a supportive housing project serving transition-age youth 18 to 24 years old. The project will consist of 56 units for youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness and/or aging out of the child welfare system.
Half the units (28) will serve households at or below 30% AMI and the other half (28) will serve households at or below 50% AMI.
There are a number of community amenities available to residents, including a lounge area with a coffee bar, onsite laundry, small and large multipurpose rooms, bicycle storage, BBQ grills and seating (both covered and uncovered), and a basketball court.
Residents will receive 24/7 case management services and a full-time property manager who will coordinate activities, classes, and supportive services. An onsite social enterprise/commercial space will offer job training and employment opportunities to residents.
The building is designed with trauma-informed principles (ample daylight, open stairwells, clear sight-lines, 24/7 staffing, security cameras). Also, the units (52 1-bedroom and 4 2-bedroom) will be fully furnished with full size beds, comfortable seating, blackout shades in the bedrooms, and owner-paid Wi-Fi.
8. Panorama Heights - Lofts at 1609 ($3.8M)
This project is a 137-unit, new construction project located in Southeast Colorado Springs. The site for the project is 3.28 acres near Academy Boulevard and Fountain Boulevard in an area close to easily accessible public transit, retail, schools, and job centers.
Lofts at 1609 will be a four-story elevator structure over a parking podium using cement fiber siding and an attractive, modern masonry exterior with metal accents. The parking podium will provide 58 covered parking spaces freeing up the site for more green space including a playground, dog park, and above ground detention. In addition to the parking structure, 127 surface parking spots will be available to residents.
9. Wintergreen Ridge ($2.35M)
Wintergreen Ridge is a 47-unit affordable housing development that will be built in Keystone, Colorado by Gorman & Company.
It will consist of one, two, and three-bedroom permanently affordable rental units serving individuals and families earning 30%-60% of Area Median Income (AMI).
The 6.178-acre Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) site is served by a Keystone Resort Shuttle (0.1 miles) and a countywide bus stop (0.2 miles) and is within 0.5 to 6 miles of major employers and county services. The site accesses an extensive network of pedestrian and bike paths that connect to points throughout the county.
This housing development will also sit adjacent to another 196-unit mixed-income development, Village at Wintergreen, which was completed in 2020.
10. Brush Village ($2.925M)
This new construction multifamily development will provide 45 apartments for households at 30%, 50% and 60% AMI.
The unit mix is 29 one-bedrooms and 16 two-bedrooms. This will be the first tax credit development in Brush in nearly 30 years. This will also be the first development that provides affordable rentals specific to the 30% and 50% AMI demographic in Morgan County.
There are one-bedroom and two-bedroom units available, ranging from 615 SF to 916 SF. They will include 9’ ceilings, in-unit washer/dryer along with wall air conditioning, blinds, high-speed internet hook-ups, a ceiling fan, coat closet, pantry, refrigerator, stove/oven, dishwasher, disposal, and microwave. Some units will have walk-in closets.
In addition to walking trails, the site has an exercise loop, a sports court, a courtyard, a playground, and a community garden. Building amenities include a roof-top patio, an exercise room, café/community kitchen, community room, recreation room, and on-site management.
Continued Focus on Housing Security and Affordability
Colorado faces significant challenges with providing affordable housing. We continue to attract new residents and jobs, but with this growth has come ever-increasing housing prices.
“Our vision is that all Coloradans have an affordable, safe and secure home. This is a lofty vision, but we are doing our best to have the needed impact for our communities throughout the state. I am excited to see these new homes serve Coloradans,” said Alison George, Director of Colorado’s Division of Housing in the Department of Local Affairs.
As the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) continues to collaborate with a multitude of partners around the state, we remain focused on providing safe, secure, and affordable housing to the Coloradans we serve. For complete information on Housing Board grant approvals, visit the State Housing Board.