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Strategic investments in affordable and low-income housing begins and ends with Denver Housing Authority (DHA) and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). DHA is a quasi-municipal agency whose mission is to serve the residents of Denver by developing, owning, and operating safe, decent, and affordable housing in a manner that promotes thriving communities. DHA units will be constructed and operated to ensure that benefits accrue to the public, NOT investors & developers. DHA plans to build and/or acquire 2,500 units in 5 years and up to 6,000 total. We advocate for more strategic investments and funding in housing operated by public agencies to ensure that access is fair, equal and not dependent on profiteers. Read the full story in Denverite. Nonprofit housing organizations, such as Mercy Housing, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, and Brothers Redevelopment, provide long-term, low income and affordable housing for up to 99 years. Read more here.

The Elitch Gardens Development, also known as River Mile, will be 60+ acres of downtown urban development. According to an article in Denverite, it will house 15,000 residents, and many of the buildings will be up to 59 floors. It will include 15% affordable housing units. 

River Mile will only be absorbing 250 people per acre and the East Central Area will be asked to absorb 778 people per acre. How is this equitable planning?

Certain areas within Congress Park are especially targeted while other areas are left relatively untouched. This is not equitable and supports a type of modern-day redlining by picking the edges of a neighborhood and deeming it as less than desirable. These also tend to be the more affordable housing units within a neighborhood.

 In addition, single family zoning exists in areas adjacent to Congress Park that are much less dense and situated on transit corridors. Should Hilltop, Belcaro, and Country Club also absorb the density as well and have zoning changed? Many of the neighborhoods in the plan area are the most dense in Denver. 

Downtown development should be the most dense. High-rises belong downtown where there is property available to scrape, plan infrastructure, live/work/play, and many public transportation options.

Build out main street zoning along Colfax Avenue and Colorado Boulevard from 3 to 5 stories before asking neighborhoods with affordable housing stock to absorb 3 times as much as brand new developments in the city center. Current zoning allows for additional density to meet development goals. Upzoning an already upzoned neighborhood will do nothing to increase affordability but will utlimately displace people from already naturally occurring affordable housing. The plan lacks an protective measures to ensure that people can age in place, afford existing rents, and that existing housing stock that is affordable is retained. 

The project at 9th and Colorado is still underway with mixed use and multi-family units are under development. In addition Loretto Heights and Sloans Lake are still under development. Loretto Heights, situated on 72 acres site, will be home to 2,500 residents by 2025.