the colorado housing crisis
Access to affordable housing in the Denver Metro area has never been more critical; in January 2022, the Point in Time count showed that there were 6,884 people experiencing homelessness. 1000,000 more people are living in Denver today than there were in 2006, and it is anticipated that Denver’s population will increase by 100,000 more over the next decade. Due to this increase in population, available housing has not been able to keep up with the Community’s needs. Home prices have risen dramatically, which has made housing unaffordable for a large portion of the Community. Currently, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Denver is approximately $1,700. This is far out of the price range for many people. One of the only living options available for individuals and families with low income are affordable housing units. Unfortunately, a sad reality is that once residents live in affordable housing units, they often struggle to maintain their housing or instead remain there indefinitely. Denver provides a multitude of services, but access to these services is limited due to a variety of factors like disabilities, lack of transportation, technology, and more.
who we serve
Our services are for residents of all ages living in affordable housing units. These residents have typically experienced homelessness to a varying degree – some have spent several months at a friend’s home, and some have been living on the streets for decades. In addition to financial hardships, these residents often experience other difficulties, including trauma, addiction, mental health, and physical disabilities. Not only are they struggling with the terrifying uncertainties that come with poverty, but they’re also struggling with histories of trauma, some from childhood and some from experiencing homelessness. There are also many barriers to accessing social programs; one might qualify for welfare benefits but lacks access to both technology and technology skills. People often know they need to make changes in their lives to be successful, but there is a lot to overcome; finding sustainable housing is a huge step in the right direction, but the journey to long-term stable housing and financial progress is just beginning.
what we do
The Foundation was established to provide onsite supportive services to residents living in our affordable housing communities. Our purpose is to promote stable, long-term housing and inspire self-sufficiency. We provide easier access to services, such as onsite case management, transportation, fulfilling experiences, robust communities, and more. Residents frequently encounter hard times, and our case managers are equipped to assist with any financial assistance applications like rental assistance, welfare benefits, and more. Our services and programming is 100% voluntary; residents are informed of services upon move-in, and engagement strategies are frequently deployed to reach isolating residents. Some of the Foundation’s program goals are 1) support housing stability and maintenance, 2) encourage self-sufficiency, 3) cultivates friendly and supportive communities, 4) provide new and fulfilling opportunities, 5) expose residents to new opportunities, and 6) provide residents with a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.
In their words …
"I never would have volunteered if it weren’t for Aspire but now that I’m doing it, I will continue to do it regardless of Aspire.”
— Veteran Resident at The Fourth Quarter Residences