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Milestones 2001 to Present
2009
• The Coalition breaks ground on Renaissance Uptown Lofts, its next mixed income, supportive housing development. The development on the corner of Pearl Street and Colfax Avenue is just east of the Capitol. Scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010, it will provide 98 apartment homes for low-income and also chronically homeless individuals.
• The Coalition announces its new Homeless Veterans Housing Fund and sets a goal of doubling the number of veterans currently served.
• The Coalition leads a successful nine-week battle to save the Aid to the Needy Disabled Program (AND) from state budget cuts. Forty-nine organizations and advocates across the state joined the effort. Since 1953, the AND Program’s modest cash payment has been a lifeline to poor, disabled state residents awaiting approval for federal disability benefits. Cutting the program would have pushed the majority of recipients into homelessness.
• The Coalition participates in a successful effort to maintain the Colorado Division of Housing “Affordable Housing” budget line item at $2.25 million.
• Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, joins U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette and Jared Polis, at the Stout Street Clinic to spotlight the impact of economic recovery funds on health care services. Pelosi praises the Clinic’s “holistic” approach to health care for people who are homeless and cites it as a “national model”.
• Over 800 people participate in the Coalition’s 21st Statewide Conference on Homelessness at the Colorado Convention Center. The Conference serves as a valuable educational and networking resource for homeless service professionals, homeless clients, civic and business leaders, advocates, educators and students.
• Renaissance Riverfront Lofts opens just north of Coors Field in the River North neighborhood. The development brings 100 new units of affordable and supportive housing to Denver and is recognized as the first “green” affordable housing development in Colorado for its environmentally sustainable design and construction.
• Coalition President and CEO John Parvensky is elected to a two-year term as President of the Board of Directors of the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH). Headquartered in Washington D.C., NCH is the nation’s oldest and largest homeless advocacy organization.
• Renaissance Riverfront Lofts wins Affordable Housing Finance Magazine's 2009 “Readers Choice Award” for the best “green” development. The annual awards honor ten developments from across the nation that serve low-income Americans and their communities.
• Renaissance Riverfront Lofts is featured on the cover of the Colorado Construction's October 2009 issue and is the winner of the magazine’s Outstanding Multifamily/Hospitality Project Gold Award. Renaissance Riverfront Lofts is also a finalist in the first-ever Colorado Sustainable Design Awards sponsored by ColoradoBiz Magazine.
2008
• The Coalition helps pass the National Housing Trust Fund legislation, the country’s first dedicated source of revenue for affordable housing. The bill was signed into law by President George W. Bush on July 30, 2008.
• The Coalition breaks ground on Renaissance Riverfront Lofts, the city’s first affordable green housing site, located in the booming loft development area just northwest of Downtown Denver.
• Plans are unveiled for Renaissance Uptown Lofts, a property on the corner of Pearl and Colfax, which will bring another 98 affordable and supportive housing to downtown Denver.
• The Coalition is instrumental in the passage of Colorado’s Warranty of Habitability (House Bill 08-1356). The new state law holds landlords accountable for providing safe, habitable residential properties and gives renters legal recourse when that minimum standard isn’t met.
• President George W. Bush presents the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Cherie Yager, an optician and volunteer with the Coalition’s Stout Street Eye Clinic.
• Colorado Community Health Network recognizes the Coalition for four community health programs: Colorado Women’s Wellness Connection, Health Disparities Collaborative, Healthy Women Outreach Project, and Colorado Colorectal Screening Program.
• Renaissance at Civic Center earns a MetLife Foundation first place award for “Excellence in Affordable Housing.”
• Renaissance at Civic Center earns a Maxwell Award of Excellence from the Fannie Mae Foundation.
• Riverfront Lofts wins “Judges Special Award for Outstanding Community Contribution” Gold Hardhat Awards, Colorado Construction Magazine.
2007
• The Coalition’s new custom, 37-foot mobile medical unit replaces the original Health Outreach Program vehicle, to deliver comprehensive health care for individuals and families unable to reach the Stout Street Clinic.
• The Coalition redevelops Renaissance 88, its first affordable housing community in the city of Thornton.
• Recognizing the need to find immediate shelter for clients preparing to enter other programs, the Coalition opens Gateway on Colorado Boulevard.
• Governor Bill Ritter establishes the Colorado Community and Interagency Council on Homelessness, with Coalition President John Parvensky serving as Vice Chairman.
• The Coalition’s Stout Street Clinic receives a National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Heroes in the Fight Award.
2006
• The Coalition plays a significant role in restoring $1 million in state funding for mental health, drug and alcohol abuse services.
• The Coalition hosts the 20th State Conference on Homelessness, bringing together hundreds of providers from across the state for training and networking.
• The Coalition completes renovations on Renaissance at Xenia Village, upgrading apartments with new energy efficient measures and building a community center.
• The Coalition, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, creates the Rural/Frontier Women’s Health Coordinating Center in northern Colorado to improve health issues of women living in rural areas.
• The Forest Manor Supportive Services Team receives a Heroes in the Fight Award, funded by Eli Lilly and Company, in partnership with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
• The Coalition earns a Home for Every American Award from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
2005
• The Coalition celebrates its 20th anniversary. The organization has now developed 1,000 units of affordable housing with supportive services for formerly homeless individuals and families. Stout Street Clinic is now serving over 8,500 patients a year.
• Denver adopts its 10 year plan to end homelessness known as Denver’s Road Home.
• The Coalition collaborates with the City of Denver on the 16th Street Housing First Program and the Denver Street Outreach Collaborative.
• The Coalition’s Benefits Acquisition and Retention Team (BART), receives a National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty STAR Award.
• The Downtown Denver Partnership recognizes the Coalition for “collaboration and leadership in seeking long-term solutions to preserving affordable housing in downtown Denver” with Renaissance at Civic Center Apartments.
2004
• The Coalition’s new Dental Clinic opens at 2111 Champa Street, the first facility in Denver dedicated exclusively to providing oral care for the homeless.
• The Coalition opens Renaissance Civic Center Apartments, providing affordable living and supportive housing in the heart of downtown Denver. The property is home base for the Coalition’s Housing First and Assertive Community Treatment programs.
• The Coalition earns a Colorado Housing NOW! Eagle Award for creating affordable housing in downtown Denver and a Historic Denver Inc. Community Preservation Award for Renaissance at Civic Center Apartments.
2003
• The Coalition constructs Renaissance at Lowry Boulevard Apartments, providing housing to 120 formerly homeless and working families.
• The Coalition becomes the lead agency for the Denver Housing First Collaborative, a program that has proven it can save tax payer dollars and end chronic homelessness.
• The Coalition develops the Benefits Acquisition and Retention Team (BART) program.
2002
• The Coalition develops Renaissance Off Broadway Lofts as the first affordable rental loft development in Denver.
• The Coalition acquires the historic YMCA building off of Lincoln and 16th Street in downtown Denver and begins major renovations on the property that will become Renaissance Civic Center Apartments.
• The Stout Street Clinic undergoes a major expansion adding treatment rooms and staff, to provide critical healthcare for an average of 100 patients a day.
• The Health Outreach Program (HOP) is launched. The mobile medical clinic begins delivering healthcare to adults and children frequenting foodbanks, motels and shelters around the metropolitan Denver area.
• The Coalition opens Renaissance Blue Spruce Townhomes at Lowry, its first affordable housing development in one of Denver’s new destination neighborhoods.
• The Coalition is a leading advocate for expanding the state-funded Children’s Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program to include prenatal care.
• The Ford Foundation recognizes Coalition President John Parvensky with its prestigious Leadership for a Changing World Award.
• Comedian Robin Williams, during his first return to stand-up comedy in 15 years, helps the homeless in a benefit performance and Coalition fundraiser.
2001
• The Coalition develops and begins implementing a comprehensive substance abuse program, the Open Door Addiction Treatment Program for homeless adults.
• The Coalition completes the purchase and renovation of 2111 Champa Street to expand space for client supportive services and to relocate its administrative offices.
• The Coalition successfully lobbies for the passage of a new state law (House Bill 01-1334) to create a property tax exemption for non-profit housing developments.
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