Denver’s Harvey Park has the latest ‘Yes In God’s Backyard’ affordable housing development – Denverite
Denver’s Harvey Park has the latest ‘Yes In God’s Backyard’ affordable housing development Denverite
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The Opening of All Saints Senior Housing in Denver
Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The All Saints Senior Housing project, located at 2595 S. Federal Blvd. in the Harvey Park neighborhood of Denver, has recently opened its doors. This project is a collaboration between Catholic Charities and the City of Denver, aiming to address the housing demand for seniors while promoting sustainable development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The All Saints Senior Housing project is part of the “Yes In God’s Backyard” movement, which involves affordable housing developers partnering with local churches. This partnership allows for the utilization of church-owned land, such as parking lots, to build housing units and meet the housing demand in the community. It also provides additional revenue for the churches involved.
The All Saints Senior Housing project is named after the nearby Church of All Saints, which provided the land for the development. The building consists of 63 units, including income-restricted studio and one-bedroom apartments for individuals over the age of 62. These apartments are available to individuals with incomes between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income, which is currently $27,400 and $54,780 for an individual.
Catholic Charities Housing, the charitable branch of the Archdiocese of Denver, is responsible for the development of All Saints Senior Housing. Catholic Charities Housing operates nearly 2,000 units of affordable housing in Colorado and Wyoming, contributing significantly to the achievement of SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The financing for the All Saints Senior Housing project was provided by various entities, including the City of Denver’s Department of Housing Stability, which contributed nearly $2.5 million. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and the Colorado Division of Housing also provided support for the project, demonstrating the importance of partnerships (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals) in achieving sustainable development.
Impact and Future Plans
The All Saints Senior Housing project is a significant step towards addressing the housing needs of seniors in southwest Denver. According to the Denver Housing Authority, the city requires up to 60,000 more units of income-restricted housing. Currently, the city is financing 1,671 units at 23 construction sites, with an additional 754 units in the planning stage. The All Saints Senior Housing project contributes to the city’s efforts to meet this demand and achieve SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
In addition to providing affordable housing, the All Saints Senior Housing project includes community gathering spaces, rooms for residents to access mental health care, bike storage facilities, and easy access to public transit. These features promote good health and well-being (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being) and sustainable transportation options (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities).
City Councilmember Kevin Flynn expressed his support for the project, stating that there is no more fitting location for affordable senior housing than on Federal Boulevard. He emphasized the significance of utilizing vacant land for such purposes and meeting the needs of the community.
For more information about renting senior housing, including at All Saints, from Catholic Charities, please visit their website here. You can also explore the map of affordable housing projects citywide here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses the opening of a new senior housing project that aims to address poverty and provide affordable housing for seniors. It also mentions the provision of mental health care and access to public transit, which are related to good health and well-being. The project is a collaboration between Catholic Charities and the City of Denver, highlighting the importance of partnerships for achieving sustainable cities and communities.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
- SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
The targets identified are aligned with the goals of providing equal access to economic resources and basic services, ensuring universal health coverage, improving access to affordable housing and basic services, and promoting partnerships for sustainable development.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of affordable housing units created for seniors
- Percentage of seniors with access to income-restricted housing
- Number of community gathering spaces and amenities provided in affordable housing projects
- Percentage of seniors with access to mental health care services
- Availability and usage of nearby public transit by seniors
- Amount of financing provided by government agencies and organizations for affordable housing projects
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of creating affordable housing units, improving access to basic services and healthcare, and promoting partnerships for sustainable development.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. | – Number of affordable housing units created for seniors – Percentage of seniors with access to income-restricted housing |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. | – Percentage of seniors with access to mental health care services |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | – Number of community gathering spaces and amenities provided in affordable housing projects – Availability and usage of nearby public transit by seniors |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | – Amount of financing provided by government agencies and organizations for affordable housing projects |
Source: denverite.com
