MEDIA ADVISORY: GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY – AFFORDABLE HOUSING
December 16, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — What:
Groundbreaking Ceremony, Renaissance Uptown Lofts 98 apartment homes including permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals
When:
December 17, 2009 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
Media availability follows
Where:
571 East Colfax Avenue (Entrance at 1509 Pearl Street), Denver, CO 80203
Who:
Governor Bill Ritter, CCH President John Parvensky, City Councilwomen Jeanne Robb and Carla Madison, CHFA Chief Financial Officer Tom Hemmings, US Bank Vice President Sarah Archibald, future Uptown Lofts Resident Tom Cox
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH)
Contact: BJ Iacino, (303) 285-5223 or (720) 937-2728 Cell
ABOUT RENAISSANCE UPTOWN LOFTS
98 Apartment Homes
50 New Construction Jobs Projected
$35 million Economic Activity
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Renaissance Housing Development Corporation, its development subsidiary, is constructing a new, mixed income, supportive housing development at the northwest corner of Colfax Avenue and Pearl Street in the Uptown neighborhood to meet the varied housing needs of Denver. The site is a vacant 25,000 square foot parcel.
Renaissance Uptown Lofts will be modeled after the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless’ Renaissance Riverfront Lofts which opened in downtown Denver in April 2009.
The development will integrate Permanent Supportive Housing for homeless individuals among other affordable rental apartments targeted to a variety of incomes. At least 16 units will be set aside for chronically homeless individuals using a Housing First approach. Services will be provided by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The remaining lofts will be targeted to persons at or below 30%, 40%, 50% or 60% of area median income, ($10,000 to $35,000). Rents will range from $250 to $600 per month. The development will contain a mixture of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.
Renaissance Uptown Lofts will be designed in accordance with Green Communities’ guidelines, featuring photovoltaic solar panels, ENERGY STAR rated appliances, enhanced insulation and healthy interior materials. It will be designed to fit with the architectural elements of the nearby historic neighborhood as well as new infill developments. The building will consist of a four-story residential structure over one level of retail and community space. A structured parking garage will provide required parking.
A variety of retail uses are being evaluated. Funding commitments have been received from U.S. Bank, U.S. Bank Community Development Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank, Colorado Division of Housing, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (TCAP), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, The Denver Office of Economic Development, Denver Housing Authority and individual donations from the public.
ABOUT RENAISSANCE WORKS
Immediately following the Groundbreaking, the Coalition will launch the Renaissance Works Jobs Program, which will employ homeless individuals to work as construction laborers, starting with placements at Uptown Lofts throughout 2010. Persons experiencing homelessness are invited to visit a recruitment fair at the Coalition’s headquarters, 2111 Champa Street, on December 17 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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Bette Iacino
Director of Education and Advocacy
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
(303) 285-5223
biacino (at) coloradocoalition (dot) org
www.coloradocoalition.org
