Denver-Based Organization Launches Innovative and Collaborative Model for Housing Continuity and Stability

Ivy Crossing on South Quebec St. in Denver. Credit: BMC Investments

Warren Village, a Denver-based organization focused on helping low-income, single-parent families make the journey from poverty to self-sufficiency, announced the launch of a two-year pilot program with BLDG Management, Inc., a property management company that owns and operates approximately 6,000 units of “workforce” level apartments throughout the Denver area.

The pilot launched in June at BLDG’s Ivy Crossing property on South Quebec in Denver and will initially serve 15 families in the Mobility Mentoring® Program living under 80 percent of Area Median income and will provide resource referrals to any other families in need at the 1,023-unit Ivy Crossing Property. Warren Village staff will work closely with BLDG staff to ensure that residents who might be on the cusp of losing housing have access to stabilizing and empowering resources. This is the first time Warren Village is expanding its services to a fair market-rate rental property.

Using the foundation of its Two-Generation (2Gen) approach, Warren Village will provide onsite and remote supportive services to residents seeking help in the areas of financial coaching, life skills, mental health and resource referrals, as well as after-school programming for resident children and additional resources for parents to address children’s developmental, behavioral and mental health issues.

“We know that financial strain can have a detrimental impact on mental health, academic and job performance, and other aspects of life. Both the economic and social factors related to housing insecurity and insufficient income have a trickle-down effect that negatively impacts individuals’ physical health, the community as a whole, and our local economy,” said Ethan Hemming, Warren Village president & CEO. “We have long been looking for opportunities that allow us to expand our services beyond the four walls of our resident building(s). This partnership provides a significant step toward advancing our strategic goal of growing our services to positively impact more families in need.”

“We have long admired the successful program that Warren Village has created and are thrilled that, through this partnership, we can finally offer similar services to our residents at Ivy Crossing. With parents being more financially stable, and their children being more successful in school, the property will benefit from higher resident retention which creates a win-win for everyone involved,” said Darren Everett, BLDG Management president.

Additionally, Warren Village will implement a Rent Reporting Pilot Program for the 15 core mobility families. Working with the Credit Builders Alliance (CBA) and Esusu, the program will provide residents with an opportunity to raise their credit scores, by allowing Warren Village to report rent payments to the three credit bureaus.

The Warren Village at Ivy Crossing pilot program is initially funded through grants from the Colorado Health Foundation and the Carmel Classic Charity Golf Tournament, with additional support from Warren Village and BLDG Management. The partners are seeking a long-term, sustainable funding source/grant to sustain and grow the program.

 

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