Affordable housing - Brothers Redevelopment

As the demand for affordable housing continues to surge nationwide, organizations like Brothers Property Management are stepping up to confront the challenge head-on.

We are excited to announce that Brothers Property Management has been awarded property management contracts to manage three key properties: The Villas at Wadsworth Station in Lakewood, and both Santa Fe Apartments and Dahlia Street Apartments in Denver. Together, these communities provide a total of 152 affordable housing units, offering much-needed relief to families grappling with housing insecurity.

The Villas at Wadsworth Station in Lakewood offers 100 affordable housing units for families.

Dahlia Street Apartments is an affordable housing community in Denver, offering 36-units to families.

Santa Fe Apartments in Denver is an affordable housing community that contains 16-units.

“At Brothers Property Management, our mission is clear: to deliver top-tier property management services, especially in the realm of affordable housing,” said Tiffani Thomas, Director of Brothers Property Management. “We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing need for affordable housing and are honored to contribute to this vital cause.”

With nearly four decades of experience, Brothers Property Management has been a stalwart provider of property management services, initially catering to properties owned by Brothers Redevelopment. Expanding into third-party management in 2019, the organization has since grown its portfolio to encompass 28 affordable housing properties, totaling 1,338 units. These properties serve diverse populations, including low-income individuals, families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness, across various regions of Colorado.

Looking to the future, Brothers Property Management is poised to continue its impactful work. The organization will extend its services to SP Crossing, an upcoming affordable housing community slated to open its doors in Commerce City in 2025. Additionally, it will manage Eagle Meadow Homes, an affordable housing development in Aurora set to launch this summer.

Committed to excellence, Brothers Property Management offers a comprehensive suite of property management services, including leasing, maintenance, resident retention, lease compliance, accounting, and reporting. With a focus on quality and reliability, the organization remains dedicated to serving its clients and the community at large.

For more information about Brothers Property Management and its initiatives, please visit brotherspropertymanagement.org.

As Colorado’s affordable housing crisis continues to intensify, Brothers Redevelopment is bringing housing options to the table — particularly for those facing displacement in Denver and the justice involved population in Arapahoe County.

Toward the end of 2022, Brothers announced housing projects in the Globeville Elyria-Swansea neighborhood and in Arapahoe County.

In December, Brothers brought five three-bedroom townhomes to 4401 Josephine St. that will be sold to neighborhood families facing displacement and placed into the GES Tierra Colectiva community owned land trust. Shortly before the townhomes were set, Brothers and Arapahoe County announced the construction of a $3 million permanent supportive housing project for 80 to 100 justice-involved individuals in the county who are unhoused.

Collectively, Brothers counts 21 communities providing more than 850 units in its portfolio, bringing badly needed affordable housing to neighbors in six metro area counties along the front range. Here is a look at how the Globeville Elyria-Swansea and Arapahoe County projects will positively impact Colorado’s housing landscape.

Preserving the Globeville Elyria-Swansea neighborhood

On a chilly December morning, neighbors of the Globeville Elyria-Swansea neighborhood gathered with coffee and breakfast burritos to watch construction crews use a giant crane to hoist and set the townhomes. The housing was a welcoming site for an area that has seen gentrification take place because of the reconstruction of Interstate 70, rising housing costs, and real estate speculation by outside investors.

Each of the townhomes will be sold for no more than $180,000 each to qualified buyers whose incomes do not exceed 80% of Area Median Income. The homes will also be placed into the GES Tierra Colectiva — a community owned land trust that will preserve affordability for generations to come.

Since 2017, the GES Affordable Housing Collaborative — made up of Brothers, the Colorado Community Land Trust/Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver, and the GES Coalition — have been working to spur affordable housing options in the Globeville Elyria-Swansea neighborhood.

The new-five unit community increases the number of affordable homes that the collaborative has acquired and/or developed to 10. The site for the housing was acquired thanks to financial assistance from the City and County of Denver who provided $2 million to the collaborative that leveraged an earlier $2 million grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation. The Colorado Health Foundation also provided a $600,000 grant to develop housing at the Josephine site.

In the near future, Brothers has plans to bring three more housing units on a site near Fillmore Street.

“Like all parts of Metro Denver right now, housing is at a premium and the cost has skyrocketed ever since we’ve been involved in this effort since 2017. It’s been really difficult to get a foothold and secure units that can be placed into an affordable community land trust like this one — but we’ve still been working at it,” Brothers President Jeff Martinez told Denverite.

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Serving a new population in Arapahoe County

Permanent supportive housing is safe and affordable community-based housing. The model uses housing-first, harm reduction and trauma-informed care models to provide shelter and services for unhoused individuals. And it has been nationally recognized as a proven solution to end homelessness because it combines housing and supportive services that enable living stability and independence not available on the streets.

Those reasons, combined with a need for unhoused clients of justice rehabilitation programs in Arapahoe County, are why Brothers is so excited to bring permanent supportive housing to the county.

The upcoming Arapahoe County project will provide housing and services to unhoused clients of the 18th judicial district problem solving courts, the Arapahoe County Pretrial Mental Health Program, Diversion clients of the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Probation Mental Health Program, Project SAFER, Veterans Treatment Court, jail re-entry, and defendants being restored to competency. This facility will improve the health, safety, and rehabilitation of around 100 justice involved clients at a time by addressing rehabilitation needs for those with mental health or substance use disorders while also providing housing resources and needs.

The announcement of this project adds a new demographic of people to a long list of clients that Brothers serves.

Along with providing housing to justice involved individuals, Brothers is preparing to open Valor on the Fax early this year — a 72-unit permanent supportive housing community at 7900 E. Colfax that will serve individuals with acquired brain injury and related disability. Brothers also offers affordable housing options to neighbors with other disabilities, low-income older adults, and income qualified families at Paris Family Apartments in Aurora.

For years, Brothers has administered Community Development Block grant funding on behalf of Arapahoe County to provide housing and housing-services — like home modifications and repairs, and housing counseling.

Arapahoe County Commissioners allocated $3 million of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funding to the upcoming permanent-supportive housing project. A location for the site will be announced in the future.

“We look forward to expanding our work with Arapahoe County to serve those who have gone through the justice system and face uncertainty along with health challenges,” said Martinez.

Two of the Front Range’s leading nonprofit housing organizations are teaming up to own and build more than three hundred units of permanently affordable rental housing at the former Park Hill Golf Course in Northeast Denver. If approved by City Council and Denver voters, Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. and Volunteers of America National Services (VOANS) will deliver new affordable housing as part of the proposed effort to convert the defunct golf course into new housing and more than 100 acres of new public parks and open space.

The two nonprofit organizations will serve as community development partners to Westside Investment Partners, the Denver-based company that owns the 155-acre site. In addition to owning and building new housing, the nonprofits will provide numerous wraparound services to ensure housing stability.

“With the news that Denver created just 933 income-restricted units over the past twelve months, the opportunity to build new affordable housing at the former golf course is significant,” said Jeff Martinez, President of Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. “There’s an acute affordable housing shortage in northeast Denver, and opportunities to build hundreds of affordable units, particularly our low- and fixed income neighbors in one location, are becoming exceedingly rare.”

“Together, our two organizations have owned, developed or managed more than 1,600 apartments serving low- and fixed-income residents across the Denver metro area,” said Doug Snyder, Vice President, of regional real estate development at Volunteers of America National Services. “There’s an overwhelming demand for affordable family and senior apartment homes across Denver, and we look forward to providing additional new housing opportunities and the services that keep these families and seniors housed in northeast Denver.”

The proposal to convert the former golf course, currently under consideration by Denver’s City Council, would build 2500-3200 high-quality units. Of these, more than 25% will be set aside for permanently affordable housing, with an equal number of permanently affordable rental and for-sale units. The proposal also sets aside more than two-thirds of the land, or 100+ acres, for new public parks and open space.

About Brothers Redevelopment

Established in 1971, Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. provides housing and various housing-related services to thousands of low-income, elderly and disabled residents across the state. For more information on the many services that Brothers Redevelopment offers, visit www.brothersredevelopment.org or www.coloradohousingconnects.org.

About Volunteers of America National Services

VOANS, part of the Volunteers of America family of organizations, provides affordable housing and healthcare services in over 38 states and in Puerto Rico. As one of the largest non-profit affordable housing owner/operators in the nation, the VOANS portfolio includes over 240 properties and 15,000 affordable housing units. VOANS also operates over 46 senior healthcare programs, including skilled nursing, assisted living, home health care, adult day and Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). For more information on VOANS, please visit our website at www.voans.org.

About Volunteers of America

Volunteers of America, is a national, faith-based nonprofit dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, Volunteers of America supports and empowers America’s most vulnerable groups, including veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including the housing and health care services provided by VOANS, Volunteers of America helps 1.5 million people in over 400 communities. For more information, visit www.voa.org

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.”

From the Office of Economic Development

https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-office-of-economic-development/newsroom/2019/EastColfaxHousing.html

Jun 18, 2019 —

155 income-restricted rental units to be developed at two separate sites along future Bus Rapid Transit corridor:

Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) has selected two nonprofit development partners that combined are projected to build 155 income-restricted rental units on the East Colfax corridor. The selection results from a request for proposals, issued in late 2018, to identify developers to deliver projects that meet the housing and community needs at city-owned parcels located at 8315 E. Colfax Ave., 1500 Valentia St. (adjacent to the 8315 E. Colfax parcel), and 7900 E. Colfax Ave.

DEDO has issued contingent awards to Mercy Housing Mountain Plains and Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. to develop needed housing, including supportive housing for Denver’s most vulnerable residents. Both sites were acquired by the city in 2017, with a vision for the development of new affordable housing and other uses benefitting the community. The sites are located within a quarter mile of future Bus Rapid Transit stops.

“We’re thrilled to work alongside two mission-driven nonprofit development partners to bring much-needed affordable homes and early childhood education to East Colfax,” said Britta Fisher, Chief Housing Officer of DEDO. “Through these land acquisitions and city-led development approach, we’re striving to ensure that hard-working residents and our most vulnerable can benefit from the public and private investments taking shape along East Colfax and make a home here.”

In the solicitation for the adjacent 8315 E. Colfax and 1500 Valentia properties, DEDO sought to identify a qualified development partner(s) to purchase the property and construct a successful mixed-use development including affordable rental housing and community-serving commercial uses. DEDO has selected Mercy Housing Mountain Plains to develop an estimated 83 income-restricted apartments. Additionally, Mercy Housing intends to lease the ground floor commercial space to a provider of affordable high-quality early childhood education services.

The 83 apartments will provide housing for a range of income levels of up to 80 percent of the area median income (up to $52,000 for a single-person household or $74,250 for a family of four). Initial projections call for 17 units to be affordable to residents earning up to 30 percent of the area median income (up to $19,500 for a single-person household or $27,850 for a family of four). Units will range from one to four bedrooms.

Under the award, DEDO will sell the parcels for $10 to Mercy Housing Mountain Plains, contingent upon approval by Denver City Council, in exchange for a 99-year affordability period. Mercy Housing intends to pursue state Affordable Housing Tax Credits and 4 percent federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits in 2020, with a targeted opening of the project in 2022.

“Mercy Housing is thrilled to be developing in Denver as there is substantial need for affordable housing. It’s exciting to see the City of Denver and our partners combine their efforts to provide quality affordable housing for families and early childhood education in a way that’s mutually beneficial for residents and the community. We look forward to working on this needed project for the East Colfax Community,” said Dee Walsh, EVP, Chief Officer of Strategic Development at Mercy Housing.

The 7900 E. Colfax Ave. RFP sought to identify a qualified development partner(s) to purchase the property and construct a successful supportive housing project that serves residents who previously experienced homelessness. DEDO has selected Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. (BRI) to develop supportive housing units for 72 families. With extensive experience in developing and managing affordable housing, BRI is teaming up with Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado (BIAC), an experienced service provider, to provide supportive housing and on-site services to families, with a focus on people with brain injuries who are experiencing homelessness. The development will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. BRI will have an office on the ground floor, providing various housing and neighborhood services to the community.

Under the award, DEDO will sell the parcel for $10 to BRI, contingent upon approval by Denver City Council, in exchange for a 99-year affordability period. BRI intends to pursue 9 percent federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits in 2020, with a targeted opening of the project in 2022.

“As a long-established and trusted affordable housing provider, Brothers Redevelopment is honored to be selected as developer for this site and help some of our city’s most vulnerable residents find safety and stability through housing,” said Jeff Martinez, President of Brothers Redevelopment. “We’re excited to work with Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado to build the first-of-its-kind community in the state to serve individuals with acquired brain injury. A brain injury can impact a person’s performance in school or work and lead to lifelong physical and cognitive disabilities, and place them at risk for homelessness.”

In addition to providing land for the future housing sites, DEDO intends to provide gap financing to each partner following the awarding of tax credits. Gap financing greater than $500,000 will be subject to Denver City Council approval.

Denver City Council approved a rezoning of these three parcels last year, allowing for a greater density of up to five stories.

More information on these project proposals will be presented by the developer teams and DEDO at the East Colfax Registered Neighborhood Organization meeting, July 16, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. at Counterpath, 7935 E. 14^th Ave.

Brothers Property Management Continues Expansion of Affordable Housing Portfolio

Brothers announces two new housing developments in Denver/Arapahoe County

Preserving the Globeville Elyria-Swansea neighborhood

Serving a new population in Arapahoe County

Brothers Redevelopment, Volunteers of America To Build Hundreds of Affordable Homes at Former Park Hill Golf Course

Colorado Housing Connects sees influx of inquiries related to affordable housing

City Selects Development Partners to Build Affordable Housing Projects on East Colfax

From the Office of Economic Development