Colorado Real Estate Journal - December 3, 2014
Boulder’s first apartment community for chronically homeless person has opened at 1175 Lee Hill Road. The 31-unit development by Boulder Housing Partners will provide permanent homes and supportive services for homeless individuals to help them achieve long-term stability and self-reliance. “Providing permanent, supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness is both a compassionate response and a cost-effective approach to assisting this vulnerable population,” Angela McCormick, chair of BHP’s board of commissioners, said in a press release. “Housing creates stability in people’s lives.” “This project catalyzed and inspired change in the North Boulder neighborhood and will catalyze and inspire change in the 31 people who moved in on Nov. 4,” added Betsey Martens, BHP executive director. The two-story apartment building consists of all one-bedroom, fully furnished units. Residents also have access to indoor and outdoor community spaces, laundry facilities and a community room for classes and social events. Each resident will have a case manager whose role is to assist residents in obtaining community services, such as federal income benefits, medical care, counseling and job training. Boulder Housing Partners is contracting with the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless to provide onsite case management. A recent campaign raised $34,000 to help furnish the apartments. Art@1175, a committee of local volunteers working to create community connections through public art, obtained grant funding for a 32-foot-high mural designed by North Boulder artist Sally Eckert that is part of the community. The apartments follow the national Housing First model and will increase the number of permanent housing units available to Boulder residents who have suffered from chronic homelessness, a major component of Boulder’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. The $7.6 million development was designed by Humphries Poli Architects. Deneuve Construction was the general contractor. Funding was provided by the city of Boulder, Boulder County, the Colorado Division of Housing, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, National Equity Fund and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.