When the COVID-19 pandemic upended lives in March 2020, the City of Denver began housing some people experiencing homelessness in hotels amid concerns about health risks in group shelters.
But as federal COVID-19 emergency funding dwindled, the city faced the challenge of discontinuing hotel placements for those vulnerable to the virus, leaving many without a place to turn. Amid this transitional period, some of the individuals formerly accommodated in hotels received housing vouchers, marking the beginning of a crucial phase in their journey toward traditional housing. That’s when Brothers Redevelopment’s Landlords Opening Doors Program emerged as a lifeline, dedicating itself to assisting these individuals in securing stable housing solutions.
Thanks to the work of our landlord recruitment specialists, Brothers Redevelopment successfully housed 83 people with housing vouchers who had been living in hotels since the start of the pandemic. In total, our Landlords Opening Doors Program has already found housing for 193 people in 2023 — surpassing the 180 people we found housing for in 2022.
The Landlords Opening Doors Program helps residents with housing vouchers find housing by working with landlords and property management companies. Our clients receive housing vouchers through the Colorado Transitions Program, which assists select members of Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program).
“Our mission at Brothers Redevelopment’s Landlords Opening Doors Program goes beyond housing; it’s about restoring dignity and hope. With 193 individuals already finding homes in 2023, we’re breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible,” said Senior Landlord Recruitment Specialist Anne Pierce. “We’re not just opening doors — we’re paving pathways to a brighter future for those in need.”
The Landlords Opening Doors Program’s success is a testament to our collaborations with landlords, property management companies, and organizations throughout the state. Pierce also attributes the success to strategic factors, including the opening of additional housing buildings and the expansion of the program’s staff earlier this year.
Brothers Redevelopment first launched its Landlords Opening Doors Program in 2015, and it continues to redefine what’s possible in providing stable housing solutions. For more information about the program, visit https://brothersredevelopment.org/affordable-housing-available/landlords-opening-doors//.