Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) recently joined with Mile High Ministries to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new 61-unit affordable apartment community, Clara Brown Commons. The project represents the first phase of redevelopment of an entire city block for affordable housing, which at full buildout will include rental and homeownership units.
Located at 3790 N. Gaylord St., Clara Brown Commons will offer housing for a range of low- and moderate-incomes. Nearly one-third of the rental units will be deeply affordable, serving households earning less than 30 percent of the area median income ($22,050 for a single-person household). Studio Completiva is the architect for the project.
“Affordable housing is needed at all income levels in Denver, and the need is clearly greatest among our lowest income households,” said HOST Executive Director Britta Fisher. “We’re proud to partner with Mile High Ministries to bring these much-needed homes forward for Denver families.”
The four-story project will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. On-site resident services will be provided, including adult education and job services, to assist residents with increasing economic stability.
“Mile High Ministries is grateful for the support of the City and County of Denver and State of Colorado, plus 200 individuals and organizations that have contributed over $5 million to turn a longtime problem property into a beautiful and affordable home for Denver families,” said Mile High Ministries Executive Director Jeff Johnsen.
Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) is providing $1,850,000 in development financing toward the $29.4 million project, pending city council approval. Other public financing partners include the Colorado Housing & Finance Authority and the Colorado Division of Housing.
Clara Brown Commons is the latest city-supported affordable housing development to begin construction in Denver. A total of 1,281 affordable units that have received city financing are currently under construction at 26 sites throughout Denver. An additional 779 income-restricted units are in the planning stage.
