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About Us

Within the last decade, home prices in Colorado have outpaced income growth by 32%.1 The increasing gap between housing costs and wages has put families in positions where they are vulnerable to homelessness and other unstable living conditions. On January 29, 2007, the Metro Denver Homelessness Initiative counted 10,604 men, women, and children homeless in Metro Denve.2 In addition, The Colorado Division of Housing expects that the total number of foreclosures increased 37,000 in 2007, a 34% from 2006.3 It is clear that Colorado is facing a crisis with affordable living for “work force” families; those families earning 30% to 60% of Area Medium Incomes (AMI).

There are 29,535 working poor families who make less than $18,400 a year in Colorado. With the average fair maket rent at $832 (2 BR) in Colorado and the minimum wage at $5.85 an hour that means a renter would have to work three minimum wage jobs in order to afford housing, food, and other necessities.4Needless to say, there is a tremendous need for affordable housing in the Denver Metro area. Many people with low-to-moderate incomes work good jobs, but their wages have not kept up with the explosive expenses of keeping a roof over their heads. Rocky Mountain HDC is helping to ease the need for affordable housing in the Dever Metro area.

Three Rocky Mountain HDC properties currently serve families in the Denver metro area. Our first project, Foothills Green Townhomes, in Lakewood, was completed in 1997. Foothills Green is a mixed income, 72 unit community. In 2002, Rocky Mountain HDC completed Arapahoe Green Townhomes, in unincorporated Arapahoe County, consisting of 60 units –18 which are used for transitional housing for homeless families. In December, 2005, Rocky Mountain HDC completed its third housing community, Willow Green Townhomes, in Arvada, which consists of 60 affordable units – 12 are used for transitional housing.

Organized under the requirements designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), Rocky Mountain HDC is governed by a board of directors, which includes four representatives from our housing communities .

Rocky Mountain HDC operates on a housing first model, believing that securing safe, decent and affordable housing is the foundation for stable families. However, providing families with affordable housing is only the first step in building the foundation for stronger families and healthier communities. Our innovative Family Services Program sets Rocky Mountain HDC apart from other low-to-moderate income housing developers in the area. We believe that while our buildings provide a roof over the heads of more than 200 families, our Family Services is a vital program that provides our community with the resources they need to manage their lives under the roof. The Family Services department provides year-round assistance and developmental programs to youth and families who reside within our affordable housing communities. The Family Services program is divided into three core areas: youth development, family support, and community building.

For over 14 years, Rocky Mountain HDC has remained steadfast in our commitment to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing, with supportive services to our families. Rocky Mountain HDC serves over 800 individuals which breaks down to 250 families. Residents of our three communities earn 30-60% AMI ($17,200 for a family of two to $43,020 for four or more) . At least 32 families served are transitional (formerly homeless) families. We have a diverse group of families who live in our communities: 27% Caucasian, 27% Hispanic, 18% African American/African or Middle Eastern, 4% Asian/Pacific Islander, 3.5% Other, and 60% of our residents are single-parent households.

1. Housing Colorado !. 2007. Housing Colorado Fact Book .

2. Metro Denver Homeless Initiative. 2007 Point in Time Report & MDHI PIT Data by County: Jefferson

3. Colorado Division of Housing. August 30, 2007. 2 nd Quarter 2007 Foreclosure Report

4. Housing Colorado !. 2007. Housing Colorado Fact Book