The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is set to open its 15th housing community, bringing the total number of units built by the nonprofit to 1,500.
The 25-year-old organization also is moving ahead on other affordable-housing projects at a time when financial support is declining but demand remains high.
“More and more families who never thought they would be homeless are coming to us for help,” said coalition president John Parvensky, who noted donations are down about 18 percent from a year ago.
Federal tax credits and funds from the state and city helped the coalition offset the losses.
The coalition will host a grand opening Dec. 16 for the Renaissance Uptown Lofts, at East Colfax Avenue and Pearl Street. The 98-unit apartment building will shelter 50 homeless people and 48 working households, with incomes ranging from $10,000 to $35,000.
The building includes 7,500 square feet of retail space for businesses that will employ clients of the coalition. The retailers will be announced in two weeks.
The coalition will break ground next month on a similar community with 101 units at West Colfax Avenue and Zenobia Street. It also has purchased a parcel at East 40th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard for future development.
The projects cater to residents of mixed incomes. Rents range from $250 to $600 a month.
“That’s certainly the wave of how things are being done,” said Jo Untiedt, president of Affordable Housing Consultants, a family-owned firm. “The problem is construction money is tight.”
Of the homeless who get residency, 90 percent successfully remain off the streets and out of shelters, Parvensky said. He said that’s partly because counselors are stationed inside communities to aid residents.
“We very rarely have a vacancy in our housing,” said Bette Iacino, the coalition’s director of communications.
On average, the wait list is two years for the homeless, and one year for “affordable” residency.
“They saved my life,” said Katie Broeren, 52. She was homeless for two years before living in three coalition properties. Her troubles started after she was thrown from a horse and slipped into a coma. After having brain surgery, she started drinking heavily.
“I’m a completely different person mentally, emotionally,” she said.
At first, upscale neighborhoods often are reluctant to welcome the coalition’s housing projects. But design standards compatible with the surroundings and economic benefits change that attitude.
“The better quality we put into it, the better people take care of it,” Parvensky said.
Two of the newest apartments include solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and enhanced insulation. The coalition plans to retrofit its other buildings to reduce maintenance costs and to create a healthy environment.
Rita Wold: 303-954-1488 or rwold@denverpost.com
