community development - The Latremie Post

Arapahoe County mulls proposal that would safeguard current affordable housing

**Arapahoe County Explores Preserving Affordable Housing at Reserve at South Creek**

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — As Denver7 continues its coverage of solutions to Colorado’s affordable housing needs, efforts extend beyond new construction and groundbreaking ceremonies. Preservation of existing affordable homes is emerging as a critical part of addressing the housing challenge.

“Preservation must continue to be a part of solving the affordability challenge,” said Perica Bell, Managing Director and Head of Preservation at April Housing.

Based in Los Angeles, April Housing manages one of the nation’s largest low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) portfolios. The organization hopes to partner with Arapahoe County to take over the Reserve at South Creek apartment complex—located near S. Jordan Road, E. Broncos Parkway, and Dove Parkway—which currently offers dozens of affordable housing units. The goal: preserve these existing affordable units and expand affordability within the community.

“Demand continues to outpace the production of new housing,” Bell explained. “So continuing to build new housing alone, without concerted efforts to preserve existing quality, affordable housing, will continue to result in a net loss.”

The current proposal aims to preserve 69 affordable units within the complex and convert the other 99 market-rate units into affordable housing. All units would be rented at rates affordable to households earning 60% or less of the area median income.

Elizabeth Loomis, Division Manager of Community Development, Housing, and Homeless Services at Arapahoe County, emphasized the importance of community stability. “We want to ensure that our families are staying rooted within their communities, so their children can continue their education in their pre-existing school districts, and we continue assisting individuals with employment,” she said.

If approved by the Arapahoe County Housing Authority at its meeting next week, the county would hold a 1% interest stake in the development.

Bell outlined the next steps in the process: “It’s really a step-by-step process. The second portion is going to the State to apply for tax credits and bonds. That process dictates the timeline—it could be as soon as the end of the year or it might take a bit longer.”

Arapahoe County recently surveyed thousands of residents to identify community priorities, with housing emerging as a key concern—31% of respondents listed it as a priority.

A significant part of the proposal involves April Housing overseeing renovations and safety improvements for the units. Bell described the process known as “re-syndication,” in which existing tax credit properties secure additional tax credits and financing.

“This allows us to make substantial renovations and improvements to residents’ homes,” Bell said. “Residents receive refreshed and renewed homes, often with updated amenities, along with the assurance of longer-term affordability.”

The Arapahoe County Housing Authority is scheduled to meet on January 27 to discuss the preservation plan for the Reserve at South Creek. This potential partnership marks a promising step toward stabilizing and expanding affordable housing options within the county.
https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/arapahoe-county-mulls-proposal-that-would-safeguard-current-affordable-housing

Local leaders break ground on new apartments in North Philly for people exiting homelessness

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday in North Philadelphia to mark the beginning of construction on new apartments designed to support people exiting homelessness. The new facility, named House of Grace, is located at 1315 W. Hunting Park Ave. It will feature 45 efficiency apartments, including 11 accessible units.

This development is the latest housing project from Project HOME, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Philadelphians to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty through housing.

“As we break ground today, we are not just building a structure, we are building on that legacy, on that vision,” said Project HOME CEO Donna Bullock. “We are building the future we want to live in, one where every person has a place to call home at Project HOME. We say it often, we say it proudly, and we say it with deep conviction. None of us is home until all of us are home.”

Bullock was joined by Mayor Cherelle Parker, state Sen. Sharif Street, Michael Young (president and CEO of Temple University Health), and Mark Schwartz (vice chair of the Board of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, or PHFA) for the ceremonial groundbreaking.

The development is expected to open next year.

Funding and Support

Mark Schwartz announced $16.7 million in funding for the health and housing programs at the new facility. This includes $1.6 million in low-income housing credits, which helped generate $15 million in equity from partner Citizens Bank. Additionally, PHFA and Schwartz will provide $1.85 million in tax credits for Project HOME’s next project, marking a record tax credit donation.

Mayor Cherelle Parker emphasized her belief in taking a “holistic, comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness” and supporting individuals facing mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders. She also reiterated her administration’s ambitious goal through the H.O.M.E. initiative to create and preserve 30,000 housing units in the city. “One housing unit at a time — that’s how we are going to get to 30,000,” Parker said.

State Senator Sharif Street, who is running for Congress, highlighted the importance of housing citing, “Housing equals dignity. Surroundings matter and having a place to live. Is it warm? Is it dry? Are you safe? Do you have a place to eat? These things matter.”

Voices from the Community

Nephali Andujar, a resident at Project HOME’s Inn of Amazing Mercy in Kensington, spoke about the impact of the organization’s work. “My father always told me that there are three things a person needs in life. You can’t do anything without housing. You need a place to stay. You need food and you need love,” he said.

“All of that I found here at Project HOME,” Andujar added. “When you help one person, it affects many people. By helping me, they have helped my family. No more sleepless nights. My daughter is 14. Now she’s proud of me. People who have known me during those dark days, and they see me now, for them is an inspiration.”

For more information, contact:

sstone@phillytrib.com
215-893-5781
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/local-leaders-break-ground-on-new-apartments-in-north-philly-for-people-exiting-homelessness/article_3305cd00-8887-47b6-831b-d09f2409a9c9.html

A CivicSpace Conversation on Rural-Urban Powerbuilding

**CivicSpace Virtual Roundtable: Bridging Rural and Urban Communities**

CivicSpace, a New America Chicago initiative, presents a virtual roundtable focused on finding common ground and powerbuilding across rural and urban spaces. This discussion will explore how rural and urban communities can better understand one another and work together to address shared civic challenges.

The roundtable will feature a moderated dialogue, followed by an opportunity for questions from the audience. While rural and urban communities are often viewed as culturally and politically opposed, many face parallel struggles such as underinvestment in public infrastructure, unequal access to public services, weakened democratic institutions, and exclusion from policy processes.

Despite these shared challenges, there are few spaces where rural and urban leaders can come together to explore common ground, exchange experiences, and uncover shared priorities. This roundtable aims to fill that gap and foster meaningful connections.

**Speakers:**

– **Daniel Ash**, Executive Director of the Field Foundation
– **Loka Ashwood**, Sociologist and MacArthur Fellow
– **Catherine Coleman Flowers**, Founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ) and MacArthur Fellow

Join us for this important conversation and be part of building stronger, more connected communities.
https://www.newamerica.org/chicago/events/a-civicspace-conversation-on-rural-urban-powerbuilding/

Pimpri Chinchwad: PCMC Launches New English Medium Secondary School in Phugewadi

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has inaugurated the Lokmanya Tilak English Medium Secondary School in Phugewadi, marking a significant step in enhancing access to quality education for local students.

This new school is part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative with iTeach Foundation and aims to address the growing demand for English medium education for students transitioning from primary to secondary school in the region.

Currently, the school accommodates 238 students along with 17 teaching and non-teaching staff members. It provides a much-needed bridge for students from nearby primary schools, helping them smoothly transition into English medium secondary education.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh emphasized the corporation’s commitment to offering quality education and improving overall infrastructure, stating,
“Our goal is not just to provide access to education but to create an environment where students can thrive academically, physically, and emotionally. The launch of this new English medium secondary school reflects our commitment to raising the standards of education in Pimpri-Chinchwad. In addition to quality teaching, we have instructed the addition of several new facilities, including a well-equipped playground, so that students have the space to engage in physical activities and overall development.”

Additional Commissioner Pradip Jambhale Patil spoke about the difficulties faced by students when transitioning from Marathi medium primary schools to private English medium secondary schools.
“We understand the challenges students face when adapting to different teaching methodologies and environments. Our new school will provide a familiar, supportive learning atmosphere to help them succeed in this aspect.”

The school offers education for grades 8 to 10 and is equipped with modern infrastructure. It will be managed by the iTeach Foundation, which will oversee teacher training, curriculum development, and student assessment.

Students from two existing English medium primary schools—Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj English Medium Primary School in Bhosari and Mahatma Phule English Medium Primary School in Dalvinagar, Chinchwad—are eligible for enrollment in the secondary school.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/pimpri-chinchwad-pcmc-launches-new-english-medium-secondary-school-in-phugewadi