More Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness Approved in Five Points
Press Release from The Department of Housing Stability
On Monday, December 14, 2020, Denver City Council approved three contracts totaling $4.1 million that will provide much needed housing and medical services for people experiencing homelessness. The financing helps make possible the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless’ Legacy Lofts project at 2175 California St. The nine-story project will include 98 affordable units and a recuperative care center.
“The solution to homelessness is housing, and we’re proud to partner once again with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to fund safe, secure housing with access to services,” said Britta Fisher, executive director of Denver’s Department of Housing Stability. “Legacy Lofts is indeed a legacy project that will make a critical difference in helping to exit individuals from homelessness and to establish stability in their lives.”
Two HOST performance loan contracts totaling $3,302,899 were approved and will support construction of the studio and one-bedroom units. All units will be restricted to those earning at or below 30 percent of the area median income (AMI), with the possibility to stay in the building while earning up to 60 percent AMI, including housing supports.
Council also approved a $797,101 grant to fund a recuperative care center at the property, which will provide 75 beds and medical services to individuals experiencing homelessness and transitioning from local hospitals and clinics. Funding is provided by the federal Community Development Block Grant program.
Legacy Lofts sits at the intersection of California and 21st Streets, two blocks from the RTD L line and the 44 bus stop. The property is adjacent to the Stout Street Health Center.
Two future HOST contracts for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to provide supportive services for Legacy Lofts residents are also on the horizon. The contracts, totaling $750,000, will support intensive case management services, housing stabilization, access to a multidisciplinary treatment team, and linkage to community supports.
Site acquisition of the Legacy Lofts project was made possible through resources from a partnership between the City and County of Denver and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). The “DHA Delivers for Denver” Program (D3) has utilized property tax mill levy revenue to create a surge of $129 million in bond funding to accelerate the development and preservation of nearly 2,500 affordable housing units over the next five years.
Legacy Lofts is the latest city-supported affordable housing development underway in Denver. A total of 1,808 affordable units receiving city financing are currently under construction at 23 sites across Denver. An additional 904 income-restricted units are in the planning stage.
The City and County of Denver has a long history of supporting affordable housing units developed by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Over the past 24 years, approximately 1,100 units developed by the Coalition have received city financing.
This article was created by an external press release relevant to the neighborhood of Five Points.