Report on the Galena Apartments Workforce Housing Initiative

Project Overview and Strategic Objectives

On July 24, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Galena Apartments in Frisco, Colorado. This initiative, a collaborative effort among several state and local entities, will develop 54 middle-income rental apartments. The project’s primary objective is to provide affordable housing solutions for the local workforce, including essential personnel such as teachers, first responders, medical professionals, and government staff earning between 80% and 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This directly addresses critical community needs and aligns with broader sustainable development frameworks.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Galena Apartments project is strategically designed to advance several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), creating a model for sustainable community development.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The initiative is a direct response to Target 11.1, which aims to ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing. By incentivizing strategic land use and constructing housing near a town center, the project promotes inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The development’s commitment to all-electric, energy-efficient homes built to U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home standards directly supports the transition to clean energy and promotes energy efficiency.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By providing stable, affordable housing, the project enables the local workforce to live in the community they serve. This is crucial for retaining essential workers, supporting local businesses, and fostering sustained and inclusive economic growth in the mountain region.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The project specifically targets the “missing middle” income bracket, a demographic often excluded from both subsidized housing and market-rate homeownership. This helps reduce housing-related inequalities within the community.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The initiative exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership, uniting state authorities, local government, and non-profit developers to achieve common sustainability objectives.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Funding

The project’s realization is made possible through a robust partnership and a multi-layered funding strategy, demonstrating a collective commitment to achieving the goals.

Key Partners:

• Colorado Middle Income Housing Authority (MIHA)
• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
• Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
• The NHP Foundation (Developer and Owner)
• Town of Frisco
• Summit County

Financial Contributions:

1. MIHA: Facilitated an $18.6 million loan to the NHP Foundation, financed through the sale of tax-exempt bonds.
2. DOLA: Provided a $4 million grant from the Strong Communities Infrastructure program, which rewards local land use practices aligned with sustainable development goals.
3. DOLA: Awarded an additional $375,898 from the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) More Housing Now Initiative for infrastructure support.

Project Specifications and Community Impact

The Galena Apartments are designed to deliver long-term benefits to the community and the environment, directly contributing to the vision of a sustainable Frisco.

• Housing Units: 54 rental apartments for the middle-income workforce.
• Energy Standards: All-electric and built to meet U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home standards, minimizing the carbon footprint in line with SDG 7 and SDG 11.
• Location: Situated within walking distance of downtown Frisco, reducing reliance on vehicles and promoting sustainable transportation.
• Community Impact: The development strengthens the community fabric by allowing critical service providers to reside locally. This enhances community resilience, supports the local economy, and ensures that Frisco remains a vibrant and inclusive place to live and work.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article’s primary focus is on the development of the “Galena Apartments” to provide affordable housing in Frisco, Colorado. This directly addresses the need for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements. The project aims to create “housing people can afford” within a community, specifically for the local workforce.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The project is explicitly designed with energy sustainability in mind. The article states the apartments will be “all-electric, energy-efficient homes” and built to meet “U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home standards,” which directly contributes to promoting clean and efficient energy use in housing.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The initiative supports the local economy by ensuring that the workforce, including “teachers, first responders, medical professionals, and local government staff,” can afford to live in the community they serve. As stated by Maria De Cambra, “They deserve to live where they work.” This helps retain essential workers, which is crucial for sustained and inclusive economic growth in the community.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The project is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It involves collaboration between state government bodies (MIHA, OEDIT, DOLA), local government (Town of Frisco, Summit County), and a private developer (the NHP Foundation). The article details how these entities combined resources, including grants and bonds, to achieve the housing goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

   The entire project is centered on this target. The “Galena Apartments” are designed to provide “54 middle-income rental apartments” for local workers earning “80% – 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI),” directly addressing the need for affordable housing.

2. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for… sustainable human settlement planning.

   The project is described as being “within walking distance of downtown Frisco” and supported by a grant that “incentivized the adoption of land use practices that support strategic growth.” This points to sustainable urban planning that reduces reliance on cars and integrates housing with community centers.

3. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

   The construction of “all-electric, energy-efficient homes” built to “U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home standards” is a direct action towards improving energy efficiency in the residential sector.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   The article highlights a partnership between public entities like the “Colorado Middle Income Housing Authority (MIHA),” “Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT),” and the “Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA),” along with the private developer “NHP Foundation.” This collaboration, funded by bonds and grants, exemplifies the partnership model for achieving sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 11.1 (Affordable Housing):

   • Number of affordable housing units created: The article specifies “54 middle-income rental apartments.”
   • Income level served: The apartments will serve residents “earning 80% – 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).” This is a direct measure of the population segment being assisted.

2. Indicators for Target 7.3 (Energy Efficiency):

   • Adherence to energy efficiency standards: The apartments are being “built to meet U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home standards.” This certification serves as a clear, measurable indicator of energy performance.

3. Indicators for Target 17.17 (Partnerships):

   • Financial commitments from partners: The article quantifies the financial contributions, including “$18.6 million” from tax-exempt bonds, a “$4 million grant from DOLA,” and “$375,898 from the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund.” These figures serve as concrete indicators of the partnership’s scale and resource mobilization.
   • Number and type of partners involved: The article lists the specific public and private entities collaborating on the project (MIHA, OEDIT, DOLA, Town of Frisco, Summit County, NHP Foundation).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: milehighcre.com