By Brett McPherson
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Division of Housing (DOH) has received $59 million in State COVID-19 housing relief, $1.74 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers (HUD-VASH) and awarded $6.41 million through the Colorado State Housing Board (SHB) for affordable housing in November and December.
Earlier this month, the Colorado legislature passed and Governor Jared Polis signed SB20B-002, which allocated $54 million for pandemic housing assistance programs previously created or expanded by federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. They include the Property Owner Preservation (POP) program, Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), youth homelessness programs, Left Behind Workers program, and Housing Counseling Assistance Program managed through Colorado Housing Connects. Another $5 million is for direct assistance to households that do not qualify for other state and federal resources.
“Federal housing assistance passed by Congress for pandemic relief will complement the special legislation passed by our state,” said DOLA Housing Director Alison George. “Together these resources will support our programs currently serving thousands of Coloradans, a number that is increasing each week.”
Additionally in December, DOH received 200 HUD-VASH vouchers totaling $1.74 million per year, to provide more Colorado veterans with immediate access to permanent housing.
DOH awarded the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA) $900,000 to assist with the construction of Thrive, the second phase in the Sun Valley Redevelopment that includes 105 units of between three-and five-bedroom homes for families with incomes between 20 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Thirty of those are market-rate units. DOH also awarded DHA $700K for the GreenHaus portion of the Sun Valley Redevelopment, which includes another 79 affordable units.
The Division granted The Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Government $300,000 for continuation of their home improvement program (UMUT HIP) in Towaoc, Colorado, for renovation of between 10 and 18 homes with numerous health and safety problems.
DOH awarded BCR Management, Inc. a $3 million loan for construction of the 208-unit Draper Commons development in Colorado Springs. New studios, one-and two-bedroom apartments will be available to families and seniors with incomes at or below 30 to 70 percent of the AMI. The project’s intergenerational approach will help address the housing shortage for seniors living on low and fixed incomes.
The Division awarded the City of Lone Tree, Colorado on behalf of Koelbel & Company, $615,000 grant for the acquisition of RidgeGate Station Affordable Apartments, a new five-story apartment building that will consist of 67 units for families with incomes up to 80 percent of the AMI.
DOH granted Delta County Housing Authority $99,500 to rehabilitate three single-family rental properties to keep these affordable housing opportunities available for low-to-moderate income families in Delta County, Colorado.
In November, DOH awarded Montezuma County $800,000 for Calkins Commons in Cortez, Colorado, a rehabilitation project of 12 units and new construction of 15 units aimed at service families with incomes between 20 and 80 percent of the AMI.
“We are serving a wider range of Coloradans with housing support than ever before in our state’s history,” George added. “We are currently adding staff and improving infrastructure to make sure we meet needs effectively.”
Brett McPherson is Marketing & Communications Specialist with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.