West End Flats and Health Center Open
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Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Opens Two New Facilities to Respond to the Increase of Homelessness in Denver
Supportive Housing and Integrated Health Care
Help Bridge Growing Gaps
Denver (June 27, 2012)—The number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness is growing significantly in Denver. While there is no new, comprehensive public plan in place with adequate funding to meet this rising need through expanded emergency shelter, increased access to mental health and substance treatment services, or new supportive housing options, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless continues to move forward with long-term solutions.
The Coalition and its subsidiary Renaissance Housing Development Corporation have just completed a newly constructed, 101 unit, mixed-use, supportive housing development at West Colfax Avenue and Zenobia Street, to meet the housing and health care needs of homeless and low-income families and individuals. The Renaissance West End Flats and West End Heath Center now sit on the site of the former biker bar—the Shuffle Inn—helping to revitalize the West Colfax Corridor.
The need for these facilities and similar developments, throughout Colorado, is urgent. Devastating social and economic pressures persist. Unemployment remains high. The cost of housing and health care is out of reach for thousands of individuals and families. And communities across the state have begun to pursue punitive measures that force those without shelter further out of sight, creating added barriers to housing and employment through increased involvement with the criminal justice system.
Integrated Community
Renaissance West End Flats integrates 101 supportive housing apartments with 50 targeted to chronically homeless families and individuals and 51 apartments for low-wage families and individuals who are unable to afford market housing in the West Denver neighborhood. The supportive housing units will be targeted to homeless individuals and families served by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The affordable apartments will be targeted to families and individuals with incomes from 30 percent to 60 percent of the area median income ($15,000 to $41,000).
The property offers 75 one-bedroom units averaging 550 square feet, and 26 two-bedroom apartments averaging 850 square feet. Building amenities include on-site laundry facilities, a community room with a common kitchen and outdoor second floor terrace, secured access, elevator service, and a computer resource room.
Renaissance West End Flats was designed by Humphries Poli Architects, PC., and FCI Constructors, Inc., was the general contractor for the development.
Green and Healthy Environment
Renaissance West End Flats provide a safe, healthy and economical environment for its residents. The Coalition adopts building practices that minimize moisture, provide proper ventilation and avoids unsafe and toxic materials. Non-toxic primers, paints, sealants and adhesives, natural fiber carpeting and compound wood products that do not contain any urea formaldehyde are used throughout the building.
The Coalition believes that energy efficiency and environmentally friendly construction can become the benchmark for affordable housing. Built to Enterprise Green CommunitiesTM and LEED® standards to keep energy costs and environmental impacts low, Renaissance West End Flats will deliver greater energy and water efficiencies, better indoor air quality and space use that will be sustainable over time and keep residential energy bills lower than average in the area.
The development utilized recycled and locally available materials whenever possible. Construction waste was recycled and site runoff was controlled to avoid water contamination. Roof top photo-voltaic (PV) panels will generate 56,500 kWh of electricity annually. The building’s Ecospace elevators use one third of the energy required for hydraulic lifts and don’t need oil. Energy Star appliances and light fixtures in all units further conserve energy while low-flow toilets, faucets and showers save water. Blow-in cellulose insulation and e-coat glazing in the windows provide an energy efficient building envelope. For low-income residents, utility costs can quickly overtake a household budget.
Integrated Medical, Behavioral Health, Substance Treatment and Supportive Services
The development includes a 5,500 square foot West End Health Center, the first, new integrated health clinic serving homeless and at-risk families and individuals in Denver funded through the Affordable Care Act. The health center will provide increased access to integrated medical, behavioral health and social services to homeless and uninsured individuals in West Denver.
Additionally, the Coalition provides a range of supportive services, as needed, to homeless and special needs individuals and families residing in Renaissance West End Flats, in order to meet each individual’s clinical, employment, rehabilitation and recovery needs.
The Coalition has been providing health care for homeless families and individuals through its Stout Street Clinic in Denver since 1985. Through this expansion at the West End Health Center, the Coalition will be able to significantly increase its ability to meet the integrated health care needs of homeless and at-risk patients in West Denver and Lakewood.
Building a Strong Economy
Renaissance West End Flats has been a boost for the local economy. The $17 million project created 50 construction-related jobs and 15 permanent housing and health care jobs, with more than 450 individuals working on the site for 15 months, including formerly homeless individuals. The direct funds expended through the project generated approximately $32 million in total economic activity, including more than $450,000 in local taxes. This new supply of supportive and affordable housing is also expected to reduce social service and emergency related costs as fewer people will be living in homelessness, or will be at-risk of becoming homeless.
Leveraged Financing
Financing for the development included a variety of sources from a public/private partnership assembled by the Coalition. The residential development financing included investment from US Bancorp Community Development Corporation, Neighborhood Stabilization II funding from the City and County of Denver, HOME grants from the Denver Office of Economic Development and Colorado Division of Housing, a HUD Supportive Housing Grant, and an Affordable Housing Program Grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka sponsored by Vectra Bank. Land acquisition funding was provided by Vectra Bank and the Mile High Community Loan Fund. Construction Financing was provided by US Bank.
The Colorado Health Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Caring for Colorado Foundation, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); and, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) also provided support for the West End Health Center.
Hundreds of individual donors and volunteers also provided vital financial support and home furnishings to create a welcoming environment for the residents.
Neighborhood Involvement
A portion of the first floor will also be dedicated for a “Cop Shop”, a collaborative program among the Denver Police Department, neighborhood organizations, and residents of the building and surrounding community to address safety and neighborhood development issues. A 1,700 sq. ft. retail bay at the corner of West Colfax and Yates Street is available for lease for a neighborhood retail or food service operation.
The Coalition worked to achieve support for the development of Renaissance West End Flats and West End Health Center from the West Colfax Business Improvement District, the West Colfax Partnership, the West Colfax Association of Neighbors, and the Sloan’s Lake Citizens’ group, developing a neighborhood advisory committee (NAC) to help in the design of the building and program for the site.
The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. Since its founding more than 25 years ago, the organization has earned state and national recognition for its integrated healthcare, housing and service programs. The Coalition’s comprehensive approach addresses the causes of homelessness, as well as the consequences, offering critical assistance to over 16,000 individuals and families each year.
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