Grovewood Community Development, a mission-driven affordable housing partner in south Metro Denver, officially broke ground today on Sapling Grove Apartments, a four-story, 81-unit, mixed-income affordable apartment community located at 10151 East Jewell Ave in Aurora.
The energy-efficient development — designed by Santulan Architecture and built by BC Builders — will establish an enhanced foundation for residents to access health and wellness resources while addressing the critical need for affordable housing options for community members with incomes ranging between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
“We believe that with the right opportunities and infrastructure, not just individuals, but entire communities can thrive,” said Jo Ellen Davidson, executive director at Grovewood Community Development. “Sapling Grove joins our portfolio of developments across south metro Denver—another branch in our growing network of communities offering residents safe and stable access to quality affordable housing. This groundbreaking is a testament to what is possible when public and private partners join forces to address critical housing, health, and equity issues in our city and state.”
In south Metro Denver, there continues to be a need for the creation of new and preservation of existing affordable housing options that meet the needs of households of diverse types, sizes, preferences and incomes. According to the most recent available data from the City of Aurora’s Housing Strategy, there is a deficit of more than 7,500 affordable housing units in the city as the cost of renting or owning continues to outpace incomes. Sapling Grove will help reduce this deficit and support the city’s vision for achieving a city for all Aurorans.
As Phase I of an intergenerational campus offering service-supported housing, Sapling Grove will feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, a rooftop deck and lounge, work pods, an exercise room, and an on-site Community Resource Center offering health- and wellness-focused resident programs and services. The property also includes thoughtfully designed community spaces for resident gatherings, intergenerational lifelong learning workshops and outdoor recreation via walking trails, a fenced playground, outdoor exercise stations, gardens and more.
“After more than three years of planning and design, we are very pleased to see this project come to life and witness the transformative impact we know it will have on the community, once complete,” added Davidson.
Slated for delivery in late 2024, Sapling Grove was made possible through 22 grant, loan and equity sources provided collectively by the City of Aurora, Arapahoe County, the Colorado Division of Housing, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Impact Development Fund, the Aurora Housing Authority, National Development Council, and Sugar Creek Capital.
Additional funding includes a four-year grant The Colorado Health Foundation awarded to help advance health and equity for Sapling Grove residents and the surrounding community through an onsite Community Resource Center and Outdoor Play Spaces.
