Groundbreaking Celebrates Supportive Housing for Unhoused Youth
Published on March 16, 2023
2700 Wewatta project to provide 56 apartments for youth at risk of homelessness
Denver’s Department of Housing Stability joined Pennrose, Rivet Development Partners, and TGTHR today to celebrate the groundbreaking of 56 new supportive housing units for youth ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness or transitioning out of Denver’s foster care system. Located at 2700 Wewatta Way in the Five Points neighborhood, the new community is expected to open in April 2024.
“Denver’s Homelessness Resolution Fund is changing the landscape, broadening our reach and ability to transition people from life on the streets and into housing and stability,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “The unhoused youth who’ll have the opportunity to call these homes theirs will find hope and promise of a brighter future here at 2700 Wewatta.”
The project will offer wraparound supportive services using a trauma-informed and harm reduction approach, including case management and peer support, to assist residents with maintaining their housing and, ultimately, transitioning to independent living. In addition, the project will include onsite access to employment opportunities.
The five-story building will be operated by 2700 Wewatta GP, LLC, a joint venture between Rivet Development Partners, LLC and Pennrose, LLC. TGTHR, a Boulder County nonprofit organization that provides shelter services and housing for youth, will deliver services onsite. All units will be income restricted for households earning up to 30% or 50% of the area median income. Vouchers to be provided from the Colorado Division of Housing will ensure that residents pay no more than 30% of their income for rent.
“I’m thrilled to be here today alongside project partners and the community’s many advocates celebrating an exciting step in bringing 2700 Wewatta to fruition,” said Shannon Cox Baker, regional vice president at Pennrose and Rivet’s managing partner. “As Denver faces a youth homelessness crisis, having quality, safe housing, tailored supportive services, and access to educational and employment opportunities is the first step in helping youth transition to a successful, independent life and economic mobility.”
“A critical piece of TGTHR's continuum of care is stable housing, yet we know that housing inventory is a huge need across the state. Being able to provide permanent supportive housing for transition-age youth is a unique solution and one we are thrilled to be a part of. This building will allow young people to move off the streets and into safe and stable housing, and the wraparound support that TGTHR is providing will help prevent youth from re-experiencing homelessness in the future,” said Elly Johnson, chief program officer for TGTHR. “It's exciting to partner with developers like Pennrose and Rivet Development Partners, who are keeping the mission at the forefront and truly want to end youth homelessness in our state.”
Denver’s Department of Housing Stability is providing a $3 million performance loan to support the project’s construction, as well as $1,260,000 for the provision of supportive services over 15 years. Other public financing partners include the Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, Colorado Division of Housing, Denver Housing Authority, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
2700 Wewatta is the latest city-supported affordable housing development to begin construction in Denver. A total of 1,701 affordable units that have received city financing are currently under construction at 33 sites throughout Denver. An additional 930 income-restricted units are in the planning stage.