08/10/2011 (press release: michelle2020) // Arvada, Colorado, USA // Colorado Homeless Families
Non-profit organization Colorado Homeless Families (CHF) recently won the Affordable Housing Project of the Year Award from the Colorado National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for its construction of seven new residential facilities in Arvada.
The Awards of Excellence recognize innovative housing and community development projects and programs. The Affordable Housing Project of the Year was awarded to CHF for their creative financing initiatives, public and private partnerships and development approaches.
CHF built seven additional townhomes in December of 2010 in response to the increasing needs of families affected by the economic downturn and rise in unemployment rates. The City of Arvada and other supporters made it possible for the townhomes to be constructed with contributions totaling more than $900,000.
“Colorado Homeless Families is honored to receive the Colorado NAHRO Award. We are very grateful to the many granters, donors, sponsors, volunteers, builders and community foundations willing to be part of this project,” said Connie Zimmerman, executive director and founder of CHF. “We are particularly appreciative for the support we received from Arvada Mayor Bob Frie, Director of the Arvada Housing Authority Ed Talbot and the City of Arvada’s Planning Department.”
The housing project increased the number of individuals CHF serves each year and provides families with transitional housing, case management, counseling, educational seminars, support groups and many other services to help them become self-sufficient.
A diverse group of supporters made it possible to complete construction of the housing project.
• The Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation granted $150,000 toward the purchase of the land.
• The following organizations contributed funds: City of Arvada $143,000, Gates Foundation $140,000 Adolph Coors Foundation $50,000, Daniels Fund $50,000, and the Boettcher Foundation $15,000.
• CHF raised an additional $514,244 from the sale of four older transitional houses at scattered sites around Arvada.
• CHF paid KB Homes to build the seven units under the direction of HomeAid Colorado, who raised an additional $328,734 in in-kind contributions.
For more information on Colorado Homeless Families call 303-420-6634 or visit http://www.chfrb.org.
About Colorado Homeless Families
Colorado Homeless Families has been providing transitional housing and supportive services for homeless families with children in the Metro Denver area since 1987. The non-profit organization began renting six properties from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and has since expanded to purchasing and maintaining 42 properties. Colorado Homeless Families seeks to direct families toward self-sufficiency within 18 months to two years by offering counseling, seminars, case management and support group services. Colorado Homeless Familes serves between 47 and 72 families each year.
