Joseph Rios - Brothers Redevelopment

Hayes-Family-L.-Vann-Sept-26-2020-Denver-80220-10-1-1200x2133.jpg

For the past 11 years, the Hayes Family Foundation has supported Brothers Redevelopment in one way or another — whether that be through volunteering for the Paint-A-Thon or by providing grants.

The group provided its first donation to Brothers in 2011, one year after it was founded. And since 2016, the foundation has been generous enough to provide Brothers with one of its largest annual budgeted grant amounts.

“Although we remain a small foundation, we are extremely loyal to our beneficiary nonprofits — especially (those) under strong leadership,” said Hayes Family Foundation Executive Director Lindsey Hayes Daly.

When Hayes Family Foundation Founder H. Michael Hayes passed away in 2014, the foundation’s asset base grew, forcing the group to establish its giving priorities. That’s when the foundation reached out to Brothers Redevelopment President Jeff Martinez who gave the group guidance on how to support smaller nonprofits and nonprofits who focus on operations and not fundraising.

“Together, we both grow our unrestricted donation philosophies. We are forever grateful for Jeff’s guidance,” Daly said.

The Hayes Family Foundation is sponsoring Brothers’ premiere annual fundraiser — the Local Social. The event supports the nonprofit’s Paint-A-Thon Program, a service that utilizes volunteers to paint the exterior of homes for low-income/older homeowners.

To the Hayes Family Foundation, the Paint-A-Thon is a worthy cause to support because the program offers vulnerable homeowners the chance to save and devote income to other important costs like medication, groceries and bills — while still allowing low-income Coloradans the opportunity to maintain their homes.

“Brothers truly understands and seeks to exceed return on investment for organizations who support them. A home is often the most important way to bring and keep a family together,” said Daly.

The Local Social falls on Sept. 9 this year at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $75 and include catered dinner by Biscuits and Berries, open bar access, door prize entry, and fun and games.

For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit https://brothersredevelopment.org/2022-local-social/.

“The Local Social honors the staff and community who support Brothers’ mission every day, serves as a celebration for longtime supporters, and is the most fun way to introduce new community members to Brothers’ expansive programs and outreach. Further, because the overhead cost for the Local Social is low, our sponsorship dollars have a greater impact than most sponsorships — directly impacting the Paint-A-Thon community Brothers serves,” said Daly.

After contracting COVID-19 and spending 21 days on a ventilator at a Denver hospital, Gloria’s string of misfortunes continued after recovering from the virus.

Shortly after being discharged, Gloria — an undocumented older adult who is a monolingual Spanish speaker — was greeted with a medical bill totaling nearly $350,000 because she didn’t have insurance.

With nowhere left to turn to for help, Gloria began working with Brothers Redevelopment’s Aging in Place senior services program — a resource that empowers older Coloradans to age in place by bundling all the information they need to know about services under one roof. And thanks to the work of Brothers Senior Services Spanish Coordinator Eden Armendariz, the hospital waved $329,000 off Gloria’s medical bills. Armendariz also helped Gloria set up a payment plan to pay the remaining $20,000 balance over the next three years.

Without Brothers, Gloria and her family would’ve gone into debt and struggled paying for necessities during a time when prices continue to rise throughout the country.

Gloria’s success with the Aging in Place Program is an example of Brothers fulfilling its mission of being a compassionate organization that stands in the corner of Colorado’s most vulnerable residents. Her story is also an example of the kind of impact the Aging in Place Program aims to achieve.

Since the program’s inception in 2017, Aging in Place has connected thousands of older adults to resources like Medicaid, Social Security, food assistance, rental/mortgage assistance and more. From July 21, 2021, to May 22, the program has provided 42,096 services that amount to a program wide cost savings of $1,864,424.72.

Cost savings is by far the biggest success that the program has brought to older adult households. When we say that the program has provided cost savings of $1,864,424.72, we mean that in 2022, clients are receiving monthly benefits or other services that amount to a total savings of $1,864,424.72.

These benefits and services are resources that our clients have a right to access. But often times, we’ve found that our clients simply did not have information about benefits and resources they are entitled to.

Brothers’ ability to connect older adults to additional income, rent and utility assistance and other services has been vital for many residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising costs of necessities.

According to a 2021 survey conducted by The Commonwealth Fund — which works to promote a high performing health care system — older adults in the country have suffered the most economically from the pandemic compared to their counterparts in other surveyed countries. Around 19% of Americans age 65+ either used up all or most of their savings or lost a job/source of income because of the pandemic, the survey says.

“During this time of escalating costs, the Aging in Place staff is continuing its commitment to offering services to all older adults. Many older adults do not know that there are benefits that they are missing or are eligible for,” said Brothers Resident Services Manager Gary Olson. “Our program offers a benefits checkup which reveals areas that may increase income. This year we have helped over 3,000 people, which is our best year yet.”

Colorado’s only statewide housing helpline, Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632), is further advancing its mission of preventing evictions by now offering free tenant-landlord mediation to Adams County residents.

Through a partnership with Adams County formed in 2021, Colorado Housing Connects launched the tenant-landlord mediation program for the purpose of creating housing stability in the county. Colorado Housing Connects employees trained mediators to facilitate high-quality, no-cost mediation services to mitigate landlord-tenant disputes in Adams County. The goal of the program is to divert parties away from court-sanctioned eviction proceedings and to work toward mutually agreed alternatives between renters and landlords like rental assistance, payment plans, lease compliance, and more.

Mediation can help protect housing for struggling Adams County residents and is confidential. Among those who can benefit from the tenant-landlord mediation program include those who are concerned about paying rent, residents who are worried that rental assistance won’t come soon enough and those who are experiencing lease disputes or violations.

State data shows 2,445 eviction cases have been filed in Adams County in 2022 as of May 31.

“Far too often, we hear from tenants and landlords at their wit’s end. The relationship has eroded, and communication is strained,” said Colorado Housing Connects Program Director Patrick Noonan. “This can lead to eviction, other litigation, or lease non-renewal. Mediation is an opportunity for both parties to come to the table and work out an agreement that spares landlords avoidable costs and tenants an eviction. A tenant-landlord mediator can cut out the emotion and support a solution driven discussion.”

Outside of Adams County, Colorado Housing Connects offers tenant-landlord mediation services to Denver residents. The Denver tenant-landlord mediation program serves for all manner of housing disputes, including maintenance issues, lease disputes, security deposit disagreements, and more.

Housing nonprofit Brothers Redevelopment operates Colorado Housing Connects in partnership with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Colorado Housing Connects works to encourage long-term sustainable housing solutions to renters by informing Coloradans about the eviction process and their rights and by connecting residents to local rental assistance resources and legal referrals.

Those who are interested in Colorado Housing Connects’ tenant-landlord mediation services can learn more information about the programs by dialing 1-844-926-6632 or by submitting a web inquiry at coloradohousingconnects.org.

91964581_10163337275165302_6477678338776236032_n-1200x675.jpg

Colorado’s largest and oldest home modification and repair program fell short of winning Housing Colorado’s Eagle Award — which celebrates accomplishments and leadership in housing and support services. But no award or trophy can justify the thousands of lives Brothers Redevelopment’s Home Modification and Repair Program has touched for more than 50 years.

Since the program’s inception in 1971, Brothers has completed more than 3,900 projects for aging and disabled homeowners across the Denver metro area, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Gilpin County, Boulder County, rural parts of the state, and other areas of Colorado. Through the Home Modification and Repair Program, Brothers provides home repairs and mobility/accessibility modifications that promote safety and help vulnerable Coloradans age in place and comfortably in their own homes.

Thanks to Brothers’ long history of providing high quality housing related services, local governments, counties, and other sources of funding have invested nearly $2 million into the Home Modification and Repair Program. Because of that, each service provided through the program is offered for free or at a significantly reduced rate to qualifying Coloradans.

The Home Modification and Repair Program has contracts with more than 12 Colorado cities and counties that total an annual budget revenue of $1,778,336.

Funding/Location	Community Development Block Grants	Housing Authority	General Fund	Denver Regional Council of Governments	Private Grant	CAPABLE	Medicaid	Total
Douglas				X			X	2
Arapahoe	X			X	X		X	4
Jefferson				X	X		X	3
Denver				X	X		X	3
Adams				X	X		X	3
Boulder						X		1
El Paso	X						X	2
Gilpin				X				1
Clear Creek				X				1
Aurora	X			X			X	3
Centennial	X						X	2
Sheridan		X		X			X	3
Arvada			X	X			X	3
Thornton	X			X			X	3
Westminster	X			X			X	3
Commerce City	X			X			X	3
Broomfield			X	X			X	3
Colorado Springs	X						X	2
Total	8	1	2	14	4	1	15

Repairs provided by the program can include services like electrical work, roof repairs, plumbing work, furnace repairs, water heater replacements, and more. Mobility/accessibility modifications involve installing wheelchair ramps, expanding bathrooms, roll in shower conversions, installing grab bars, and other forms of modifications that help aging adults safely move through their homes and enjoy increased mobility.

Around 25% to 33% of older adults fall annually, and half of those falls occur in their homes — according to the Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis. However, research from the university suggests that in-home falls can be reduced by nearly 40% with a community-based program — like the Home Modification and Repair Program.

In 2021, the Home Modification and Repair Program completed 303 projects and saved older and disabled adults more than $1.3 million collectively.

Housing nonprofit Brothers Redevelopment is proud to announce that its housing helpline, Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632), has been awarded the Eagle Award from Housing Colorado — a non-partisan membership association dedicated to serving organizations and professionals in the affordable housing industry in Colorado.

The Eagle Award represent one of the highest achievements within the Colorado housing community and celebrates extraordinary accomplishments and outstanding leadership in housing and support services. Award winners are chosen based on a variety of factors including target population, housing stability, challenges a program addresses, services provided to residents of affordable housing, innovative approaches, how a program engages stakeholders, and how a program’s mission and work addresses issues related to diversity, equity and/or inclusion.

Colorado Housing Connects is the sole statewide housing helpline service that is operated in partnership with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. The helpline assists Coloradans navigate through non-emergency housing services and resources. Colorado Housing Connects provides information about a variety of housing services and topics of interest to renters, homeowners, landlords, first-time homebuyers, older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone with fair housing concerns.

In 2021, Colorado Housing Connects received 35,246 inquiries from 59 of Colorado’s 64 counties.

“When COVID hit, our Colorado Housing Connects helpline felt the impact immediately. Our phones started ringing with renters and homeowners cast into economic hardship overnight as their employment situation, family demands and wellbeing shifted dramatically,” said Colorado Housing Connects Program Director Patrick Noonan. “Since then, our team has worked tirelessly to step up for Coloradans with their back against the wall. They’ve helped our clients navigate incredible crises and done so with patience, compassion and resolve.”

Image Slide 2

Colorado Housing Connects’ “housing navigators” work to prevent evictions by connecting renters to resources that are local to them like financial assistance, legal assistance for Coloradans facing eviction, tenant-landlord mediation services, and more. Throughout the pandemic, Colorado Housing Connects has hosted eviction prevention webinars in partnership with Colorado Legal Services — a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to low-income Coloradans. The webinars cover information about the eviction process in Colorado, practices for avoiding eviction and resources that help with eviction.

Colorado Housing Connects also offers foreclosure prevention services by connecting homeowners to government certified housing counselors that help Coloradans access legal referrals, financial assistance, housing counseling services, and other resources.

As a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, Colorado Housing Connects offers homebuyer and post-purchasing counseling, free workshops like its homebuyer education courses, education on renter rights and responsibilities, and more. Last year, Colorado Housing Connects provided housing counseling services to 2,065 Coloradans.

In 2020, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs selected Colorado Housing Connects as its partner to lead and launch the Housing Counseling Assistance Program.

The program is funded by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and involves Colorado Housing Connects collaborating with more than 12 housing counseling and legal service agencies across Colorado to offer comprehensive housing counseling, navigation and eviction/foreclosure prevention services and other resources that help Coloradans remain housed. In May, Colorado’s Housing Board approved additional funding in Housing Development Grant funds to continue to fund the Housing Counseling Assistance Program through the end of 2022.

Colorado Housing Connects works to reach underserved communities facing housing instability through its intentional marketing, outreach and service delivery model. Bilingual staff and interpretation services help ensure Coloradans have access to navigation, counseling and workshops — regardless of English language proficiency.

“The Eagle Award is a great honor and a testament to the hard work of our housing navigators and counselors. We also owe many thanks to all of our partners who’ve supported this effort along the way,” said Noonan.

As the cost of housing continues to rise throughout Colorado, Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632) is seeing an influx of inquiries regarding affordable housing.

Since October, more than 3,000 Coloradans have submitted a web inquiry to the housing helpline looking for affordable housing services. Colorado Housing Connects works to help Coloradans find affordable housing by informing residents about their options, connecting people to resources and by regularly hosting affordable housing workshops in Adams County.

Affordable housing is the second biggest concern for people reaching out to Colorado Housing Connects for housing help, trailing only inquiries from Coloradans facing eviction.

Reason for contacting Colorado Housing Connects about affordable housing	Total number
I am staying with someone else, and I need a new place to live.	909
I'm currently homeless.	787
My landlord is selling or is not renewing my lease.	357
My rent is too high and I need something cheaper.	607
Other	362
Grand Total (since Oct. 2021)	3,022

According to the Colorado Association of Realtors, monthly housing costs on one-bedroom apartments, condos/townhomes and single-family homes have nearly doubled in the Denver metro area since 2015. The average cost of an apartment in Denver is $1,879 per month while monthly payments for a condo or townhome cost around $2,470. The average cost for a single-family home is $4,003 a month.

Brothers Redevelopment, the nonprofit that operates Colorado Housing Connects, owns/operates 19 affordable living communities throughout the state.

To learn more about Colorado Housing Connects’ free Adams County Affordable Housing Workshops, visit https://coloradohousingconnects.org/upcoming-events/.

“We’ve known for some time that affordable housing in Colorado is hard to find and even harder to obtain. What people sometimes overlook are the tips to navigate the resources that are out there and the outside of the box solutions available to them,” said Colorado Housing Connects Program Director Patrick Noonan. “If you feel squeezed by the rent or worry about maintaining your housing in the long run, it is critical that you reach out sooner rather than later to develop a short term and long-term housing plan.”

For the past 30 plus years, Golden resident Donna Mullins has focused her life on preserving and supporting affordable housing for aging adults.

After working in corporate retail design, Mullins realized she wanted her work to feel more meaningful. So, she got involved in the design and development for all forms of housing for older adults and became immersed in Colorado’s aging adult services field. Through networking, she learned of former Brothers Redevelopment President Mary Ann Shing and became intrigued by the fact that the organization had a woman president.

Years would go by, and Mullins’ path would cross with Brothers again around 2010 through Jefferson County’s Aging Well Project — a plan aimed at developing and implementing strategies to create inclusive, livable communities through sustainable partnerships and integrated services. While she oversaw the Housing Workgroup, Brothers staff joined the team and presented its Home Modification and Repair Program to Mullins and the rest of those involved with the Aging Well Project.

“That’s the beginning of me getting to know (Brothers). I hung around and went to some of their events, and I just loved all the things Brothers does,” said Mullins. “They’ve grown so much.”

Mullins is one of dozens of Coloradans who helps to preserve Brothers mission of protecting and preserving affordable housing thanks to the generosity of her and her family. Since 2010, the Mullins family has regularly donated to Brothers. They even have the nonprofit organization listed in their will.

“I’ve just become very interested in helping older adults who don’t have as much money as some who might live in high-end senior housing. I have interest in helping people who need help, and I believe the home environment can make a huge difference in someone’s quality of life,” said Mullins. “I really respect (Brothers) and when it came time for us to think of philanthropy, we determined Brothers was a good place to send some money.”

The Mullins family recently donated $10,000 to Brothers, and the organization suggested that it be used for a mural at Valor on the Fax — an upcoming community Brothers is developing that will house residents with acquired brain injuries. Mullins said she loved the idea.

She applauded the growth Brothers has seen in recent years. In particular, Mullins pointed to the importance of Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632), because she said many people don’t know where to turn to for housing resources. In 2021, more than 35,000 Coloradans submitted an inquiry to Colorado Housing Connects as evictions rose throughout the year.

Mullins said she would encourage residents to donate to Brothers because it serves all generations of Coloradans, and she feels that the organization has its heart in the right place.

“(Brothers is) mission driven, and they do their work well,” said Mullins.

Coloradans interested in donating to Brothers can do so by visiting https://secure.givelively.org/donate/brothers-redevelopment-inc.

“It’s nice to be affiliated with an organization that does good things for people. There are just so many services that are focused on helping people,” Mullins said. “And it feels like to me that Brothers does it successfully, and they’re just wonderful people. Their enthusiasm — it’s just fun to be part of it.”

For the past six years, Dan Burleson has played an important role in ensuring that Brothers Redevelopment’s Home Modification and Repair Program ran smoothly in Colorado Springs.

Burleson spent around 16 years as the manager for Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Colorado Springs — a company that specializes in services like plumbing repairs, sewer line repair and replacements, water heater installation, repair, and replacements, and more. During his career, Burleson oversaw numerous Home Modification and Repair Program projects in Colorado Springs. Brothers utilizes contractors like Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Colorado Springs to complete projects for the program.

Various program clients have noted that Burleson and Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Colorado Springs provided exceptional customer service throughout the years.

“To live those moments when you’re helping someone, to have someone give you a hug and just the gratification of helping someone — it was pretty cool,” said Burleson. “I enjoyed every second of it. It’s a good feeling.”

Burleson formally retired from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Colorado Springs at the beginning of March. Brothers staff recently joined Burleson and the rest of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Colorado Springs to celebrate his retirement. At the celebration, Brothers presented Burleson with the first Home Rehabilitation Hero Award in recognition and appreciation for his years of advocacy and service in creating more safe, accessible and sustainable communities as a trusted resource for home repair and rehabilitation.

“(The award) blew me away. I did not anticipate that whatsoever,” said Burleson. “It was quite the surprise.”

Home Modification and Repair Program Director Jason McCullough said Burleson has been a kind, effective and constant advocate for residents in Colorado Springs and El Paso County throughout his tenure.

“His ability to identify those in need and work with various support organizations like Brothers Redevelopment to initiate and execute assistance is as uncommon as it is welcome. He has been a true partner for us in addressing and successfully providing impactful residential rehabilitation services over his tenure,” said McCullough. “The award we presented to him recognizes his dedication and advocacy in the communities he served. He will be missed.”

Colorado’s sole statewide housing helpline — Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632) — reported its highest number of inquiries during the week of March 7 in more than a year.

During the week of March 7, Colorado Housing Connects received 1,159 calls and web-based inquires. The 1,159 inquires is the most Colorado Housing Connects has reported since Feb. 5, 2021, when it received 1,179 inquires over a one-week span.

Colorado Housing Connects specializes in preventing evictions by connecting Coloradans to local rental assistance resources, wherever they live, thereby encouraging long-term sustainable solutions. Among the resources the housing helpline can connect renters to include legal assistance, financial assistance and more.

Eviction filings have been on the rise since May 2021. In February, 3,175 eviction cases were filed throughout Colorado, according to data from the state and the City of Denver.

“It’s chilling to think that our call volume has been surging. In many ways, it feels like we’ve been turning a corner on the pandemic — but the families we hear from and the number of people experiencing an eviction filing each month suggest otherwise,” said Colorado Housing Connects Program Director Patrick Noonan. “The concerning part of this trend is that there are still millions of dollars out there to keep families housed and to make landlords whole. We need to work together to tamp down the threat of increasing housing instability and homelessness.”

Brothers Redevelopment, the housing nonprofit organization that operates Colorado Housing Connects, administers funds for a variety of rental assistance programs including Denver’s Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program, and the statewide Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Renters facing eviction are encouraged to contact Colorado Housing Connects, pay as much as they can toward their rent, proactively communicate with their landlord and apply for rental assistance.

Inquires can be submitted to the housing helpline by visiting coloradohousingconnects.org or by calling 1-844-926-6632.

Brothers Redevelopment and the City of Aurora are encouraging Aurora residents to apply for the City’s Minor Home Repair Program.

In partnership with the City of Aurora, Brothers provides much needed home repairs, accessibility modifications, deferred maintenance renovation, and general home rehabilitation services for income qualified Aurora homeowners through the program.

The Minor Home Repair Program allows Aurora homeowners to receive up to $15,000 for impactful home rehabilitation services.

Among the services the program offers includes the following:

Roll-in shower conversion
Wheelchair ramp construction
Exterior rail repair, and installation
Exterior plumbing and minor electrical repairs
Repair or installation of furnaces
Repair or installation of hot water heaters
Plumbing repairs for items like sinks, faucets, valves, drains, and toilets

In January, Aurora City Council approved $160,000 in community development block grant funds for Brothers to administer the Minor Home Repair Program to Aurora residents. The nonprofit coordinates a wide variety of repairs and modifications through its Home Modification and Repair Program — a service that helps low-income homeowners with disabilities or physical limitations avoid injury and enjoy increased mobility in their homes.

“This program allows us to take stress and anxiety away from Aurora homeowners in crisis and enhance their homes. Our goal is for our clients to stay in their homes for as long as they can,” said Brothers Home Modification and Repair Program Director Jason McCullough. “Every Aurora resident deserves a secure place to live, and we look forward to making Aurora homes more livable, safe and comfortable.”

To qualify, applicant’s total annual gross household income cannot exceed 80% of the Area Median Income as defined by HUD’s low/moderate income guidelines. For example, a household size of two people in Aurora qualifies for the program if the household’s maximum gross income is $63,950. Residents can determine their financial eligibility by visiting https://www.auroragov.org/residents/community_development/housing_rehabilitation_programs.

Qualifying applicants must also:

Own the property
Occupy the property as their primary residence
Home must be within the Aurora city limits
Be current on all debt secured against the property
Have no liens or judgements
Have a current homeowners insurance policy
Have a current mortgage payment history for the past 12 months
Have a property that is in need of essential home repairs

Last year, Brothers served seven households in Aurora through the Minor Home Repair Program. In total, Brothers completed 303 projects worth $1.6 million throughout the Denver metro area and Colorado Springs last year through the Home Modification and Repair Program.

Brothers is no stranger to the City of Aurora, as the organization works with the City to address other housing challenges. In 2019, Brothers saw unprecedented investment and cooperation from the city to open the Paris Family Apartments — a 39-unit affordable housing community for families located at 1702 Paris St. The agency also manages other affordable housing communities in the state’s third largest city, offering a total of 129 apartments to income qualified Aurorans.

Brothers is also encouraging eligible Aurora homeowners to apply for its Paint-A-Thon Program — a resource that utilities volunteers to paint the exterior of homes for low-income aging adults and disabled residents.

Aurora residents interested in the Minor Home Repair Program can learn more information and apply for it by emailing HMR@brothersredevelopment.org or by calling 303-685-4225. Those interested in applying for the Paint-A-Thon Program can do so by emailing chad@brothersredevelopment.org or by calling 720-339-5864.

For 10-plus years, the Hayes Family Foundation has supported Brothers in one way or another

Brothers continues to support older adults as inflation rises across state

Colorado Housing Connects launches Tenant-Landlord Mediation Program in Adams County

Home Modification and Repair Program nominated for Eagle Award

Colorado Housing Connects takes home Eagle Award

Colorado Housing Connects sees influx of inquiries related to affordable housing

Donna Mullins wants to preserve and support affordable housing for aging adults

Brothers honors long time Home Modification and Repair Program partner

Colorado Housing Connects reports highest number of inquiries in more than a year

Brothers teams up with City of Aurora to offer home repairs to residents