At a grand opening event on Wednesday, August 28 in the Globeville neighborhood of Denver, The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH or the Coalition) celebrated the launch of Renewal Village, which will provide 215 supportive and transitional housing units designated for individuals exiting the cycle of homelessness. Over the past 18 months, CCH converted the former Clarion Inn to permanent supportive and transitional housing with the help of key government, private, and nonprofit partners. The Coalition hopes to begin leasing up the apartments by mid-September of 2024.
The Grand Opening event for the property featured a spoken program as well as tours of the property’s nine stories of renovated space. Speakers included: Congresswoman Diana DeGette (District 1), Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless President and CEO Britta Fisher, Alison George, Department of Local Affairs, Director of Division of Housing, Dominique Jackson, Regional Administrator, Rocky Mountain Region, HUD, Emma Pinter, County Commissioner of Adams County, and Darrell B. Watson, councilmember, City of Denver.
“Housing is the foundation for lasting solutions to homelessness and the Coalition is proud to work in partnership to bring more than 200 homes online in half the usual time,” said Britta Fisher, president and CEO of CCH. “Study after study showcases that the most effective proven solution to homelessness is the model
utilized in Renewal Village — housing with supportive services. This model prioritizes the creation of safe, affordable, and welcoming spaces for individuals exiting the cycle of homelessness, with inclusive wraparound services available on-site.”
“The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has been tirelessly working to support the most vulnerable Coloradans for 40 years,” said Congresswoman Diana DeGette. “Today’s grand opening of Renewal Village will continue this leadership as they offer more transitional and supportive housing options to those experiencing homelessness. I was proud to help secure funding from the federal government for this project, and I look forward to seeing how Renewal Village will add to the Coalition’s lasting solution for housing in our state.”
Senator Hickenlooper, who was not able to attend the event submitted the following quote, “The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is tackling our state’s housing crisis on the ground,” said Hickenlooper. “Thanks to federal funding we helped secure for Renewal Village, 215 new units are waiting to welcome folks home.” Hotel-to-housing conversion projects like Renewal Village are just one piece of the puzzle in creating lasting solutions to homelessness. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless also serves over 17,000 Coloradans per year in healthcare, administers vouchers for external housing opportunities, works alongside the City of Denver
and other agencies in Outreach and House1000 efforts, and advocates for policies to increase the stock of affordable housing and strengthen rental protections to stop homelessness before it starts.
“All Denverites deserve access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Housing paired with wraparound services, like Renewal Village, provide key support structure to help people successfully transition out of homelessness for good. Projects like this are an important step to creating housing in Denver that is affordable to everyone, but we have much more work to do to close the gap. That’s why I’m grateful Denver voters will have a chance to make their voice heard on affordable housing in our city this fall.” said Mayor Mike Johnston, referring to the Affordable Denver Fund.
If passed this November, the Affordable Denver Fund would generate $100 million a year to preserve and expand housing affordability, accessibility and attainability for tens of thousands of low- and middle-income Denverites. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is a strong proponent of the measure. Councilmember Darrell B. Watson added “The residents of District 9 have been consistent that their number one (#1) priority is housing. Renewal Village will break the cycle of housing instability for these residents. This intentional community will be wrapped in services and support they deserve providing for them the opportunity to sustain the dignity of housing.”
While Denver has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the state, the crisis does not have geographic boundaries. A key partner for Renewal Village was partnership and funding from Adams County.
“People experiencing homelessness deserve safety, care, stability, and dignity. As elected officials, it’s our responsibility to work together to find innovative ways to help make these things more attainable for all people, regardless of which side of a county line they’re from,” said Emma Pinter, chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners. “That’s why our Board is so proud to support the Renewal Village project—when we come together across jurisdictions, great things happen for all the residents of our communities.”
“I’m so grateful that we have such visionary partners throughout community who collaborate with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development at every opportunity to help our unhoused neighbors,” said Dominique Jackson, HUD’s Rocky Mountain regional administrator. “I am confident that the $4 million in federal funding will go a long way towards providing the kind of housing and supportive services that changes lives and improves outcomes.”
