Apartments for homeless ready to open in Boulder

BOULDER — A 31-unit apartment complex for chronically homeless people is set to open next week in Boulder.

Boulder Housing Partners, the city’s housing authority, will celebrate the grand opening of 1175 Lee Hill on Nov. 3, and residents will begin moving in Nov. 4.

The two-story, multifamily apartment building has 31 one-bedroom, fully-furnished units. Residents will have access to indoor and outdoor community spaces, laundry facilities and a community room for classes and social events.

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Each resident will be assigned a case manager whose role is to assist them in obtaining community services such as federal income benefits, medical care, counseling and job training. Boulder Housing Authority is contracting with the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless to provide the on-site case management.

The $7.6 million development was designed by Denver-based Humphries Poli Architects; the general contractor was Boulder-based Deneuve Construction. Funding was provided by the city of Boulder, Boulder County, the Colorado Division of Housing, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, the National Equity Fund and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The apartment building is designed to be 30 percent more energy efficient than city code. A 56-kilowatt solar array will be installed on the roof, offsetting 100 percent of the common area electricity demand.

The chronically homeless comprise approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of the homeless population. They tend to have high recurring incidences of mental illness, addictions and physical disabilities and are often in need of emergency services.

“The Shelter is very excited to continue its long-term partnership with BHP in bringing this project to fruition,” said Greg Harms, executive director of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. “Over the next month, 31 people who have led very unlucky lives will finally have a roof over their heads. This won’t end homelessness in our community, but it is a great start.”

The new building will be open to the public from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Nov.3, and the grand opening program will begin at 5 p.m. The new facility is located on Lee Hill Drive and Broadway in North Boulder. The community is invited to attend.