Aurora Housing Authority

April 10, 2007

Americorp/Healthcorp volunteers lent their time and resources to educate Villa Verde children on emergency safety tips throughout the month of March.  The non-profit organization initiated an after school program mentoring children in proper conduct during a medical emergency. Volunteers helped children to understand what should be done when encountering an emergency situation.  The children learned when to call 9-1-1 and the necessary dialogue required to report a medical emergency.

Villa Verde is a small apartment community located in the 1600 block of Alton in old Aurora. Aurora Housing Authority completed rehabilitation of the apartment complex in 2004 including a community room offering residents and the neighborhood helpful services and beneficial resources.  

Americorp/Healthcorp volunteers used the community room to provide youngsters with the experience of giving descriptive information to an imaginary 9-1-1 operator.  The event concluded with the children constructing first aid kits, learning how to identify different wounds and then the necessary bandages to dress them.

Over the past year, volunteers have engaged the children in crafts that are fun and educational.  For example, they made paper turkeys while sharing what they’re thankful for during the Thanksgiving holiday.  In February, they made valentines for their neighbors and friends.

The community room has also hosted many other activities including the City of Aurora Mobile Playground, Girl Scouts, a computer lab, and after school homework help.

Fletcher Gardens Apartments Renovated, Rededicated

December 26, 2006

After a year of time and over $2.3 million spent in renovation, the 93-unit Fletcher Garden senior apartments held a rededication ceremony and open house Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006. Owned and managed by the Aurora Housing Authority (AHA), the eight-story building at 1401 Emporia St. in Aurora has provided affordable housing to low-income seniors since 1978.

Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer spoke at the rededication ceremony, praising the revitalization efforts of the Aurora Housing Authority, and telling the residents and many guests gathered for the event that “the people here deserve” to live in an upgraded and beautified home.  Preston Prince, Executive Director of the Aurora Housing Authority, thanked the many people in the public-private partnership who helped make this significant achievement possible. 

Financing for the project was made possible by City of Aurora Private Activity Bonds, and the allocation of Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.  US Bank did a private placement of the bonds, which provided reduced interest loans for the renovation and the permanent debt.  Apollo Housing Capital was the equity investor who purchased the tax credits.

Residents Ron Cushing and Lois Keener complimented the dedication and friendliness of the AHA construction staff, who performed most of the renovations.  Ms. Keener also commented on the new colorful façade, “I’m proud to call this new arts district landmark my home.”  She added the most exciting part about the renovation is the new common space for resident activities.

Originally opened in December 1978, the property was still functional, but “tired”.  The year-long renovation project included interior, exterior and system renovations. The new façade was painted in vibrant colors, complementing other nearby East Colfax Avenue community revitalization projects.  In each unit, residents received individual air conditioning units and new energy efficient windows, plus new carpeting, paint, light fixtures.  Kitchens were completely renovated with new cabinets, flooring and appliances, and bathrooms were also updated with new flooring, vanities, light fixtures, and tiled tub enclosures.  Common areas were upgraded with new furniture, carpeting, paint and artwork.  The updated community room now has access to a secured outdoor patio area, and also received a new kitchen.  A computer lab and hair styling salon are among new amenities for the residents. Parikh Stevens Architects provided design expertise in the renovations.

The rededication was attended by almost 200 residents, guests, and dignitaries.  In addition to Mayor Tauer, several representatives from CHFA, US Bank, Apollo Capital. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the City of Aurora, and the AHA Board of Commissioners were present.  Also present were two of the founding Board of Commisioners, who had been present at the initial dedication 28 years earlier.  Sister Michael Mary Eagan and Mr. Agnar Swanson fondly recalled the original opening of the Fletcher Garden apartments. 

Mr. Prince noted that Fletcher Gardens is one of six development projects for the AHA this year – a significant achievement.  These six developments, all of which are public-private partnerships made possible with the allocation of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, comprise 472 units of affordable and sustainable housing for workforce Aurorans.  Fletcher Garden apartments provides for low-income seniors who are able to qualify for federal rental assistance.

To qualify for an apartment at Fletcher Gardens, applicants must be 62 years or older and earn at or below 50% of the Area Median Income.  (In Aurora, the AMI is $25,100 for a single individual.)  The majority of Fletcher Gardens residents have incomes below 30% of the AMI.  Through rental assistance provided by HUD, residents pay only 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent; the remainder of the rent is subsidized by HUD. 

The Aurora Housing Authority’s mission is to develop and promote quality housing while supporting and encouraging economic opportunities leading to self-sufficiency and independence. For information about Fletcher Gardens or the Aurora Housing Authority contact Elizabeth Gundlach Neufeld at 720-251-2075.

Aurora Housing Authority Celebrates Residents' Success

September 28, 2006

After being laid off in 2003, single mom, Tracy Starkey was living on unemployment and unsure about her family’s future.  While on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program she decided to take control of her life and open her own daycare facility.  After going through the required training and licensing procedures, she was able to open her own childcare facility in 2004 and recently took herself off assistance.  Starkey is now self sufficient and working toward her dream of home ownership.

Starkey was one of eighteen residents who were recognized for their achievements at the AHA’s annual Celebration of Success, held this week at Arapahoe County’s CentrePoint Plaza in Aurora.  Residents, families and friends gathered for the event, sponsored by the Aurora Housing Authority, the Aurora Housing Corporation and Stride assistance programs.

Most honorees are graduates of the Corporation’s Families in Transition (FIT) program or the AHA Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program.  Many have risen from homelessness to home ownership, or have achieved other goals such as furthering their education and getting better jobs to support their families.  Preston Prince, AHA executive director said, “These are people who’ve overcome major obstacles to get themselves off assistance and moving toward a dream of home ownership.”

Jeanetta McCain, a single mother of two was recognized for her achievements while on the FSS program, including completing Kaiser’s L.P.N. program, paying off debt and repairing her credit.  After attending classes through the Colorado Housing Assistance Program and the Home Ownership Assistance Program she was pre-approved for a home loan and moved into her new home this past April.

Special guests at the event included Erin Minks from Senator Ken Salazar’s office, Holly Ratzlaff from Senator Bob Beauprez’s office and Molly Markert and Renie Peterson, both members of the Aurora City Council.  Markert spoke to the group and inspired them to continue to make the most of their “little place on the planet.”

Other honorees included Elijah and Rashaunda Bell, Janelle Bianchi, Candice Carr, Rachel Colorado, Debra Durst, Candice Few, Sybil Lewis, Sharita Link, Kecia Montague, Judy Moore, Toia Nash, Sandra Ragland, Jennifer Rhoades, Rose Santana, Kari Shie and Angelic White.  Honoree Judy Moore commented after receiving her recognition that she’s thankful to the AHA, the AHC and Stride for “building communities one family at a time.”

For more information, contact the Aurora Housing Authority at (720) 251-2100.

Day on the Green turns out Gold for Colfax Community

August 29, 2006

The 4th Annual Housing Invitational raised $25,000 for Colfax Community Network and Stride.  Participation totaled 160 players in the AHA Golf Tournament Wednesday, August 16 at the Canterberry Club in Parker.  Contests winners included Britta Fisher for Ladies Longest Drive, Bill Burton for Men’s Longest Drive, Laurie O’Brien and Pete Robinson for Ladies and Men’s Closest to the Pin.  The top four teams included:

1. 1st place team – Sponsored by NewCastle Properties: Peter Langdorf, Brad Pierce (Aurora City Councilman), Dee Wisor and Chuck Borgman
2. 2nd place team – Mike Smith (Stride Board member), Matt Osbourn, Larry Brunson (Former Denver Bronco and Stride Board member)
3. 3rd place team – Sponsored by Colorado Housing and Finance Authority: Marc Hendricks, Bob Monroe, Scott Singer, and Brian Monroe
4. 4th place team – Sponsored by MBR Development:  Tim Roble, Beverly Quail, Jeff Williams, Paul Scott

Sponsors of the event and competitions included Key Bank and Citywide Banks, SB Clark, Housing Authority Insurance Group, Winthrop and Weinstein, and Sherman & Howard. 
Colfax Community Network provides emergency food, clothing and housing assistance to families living in transient housing along the East Colfax corridor.  The Stride program enables low-income individuals and families to become economically self-sufficient and independent of government and community sponsored assistance for basic needs.
Next year’s tournament will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

Aurora Housing Authority
Holds Groundbreaking Celebration on Dallas Street

July 31, 2006

Preston Prince, AHA Executive Director, announced that the AHA has received a grant for $228,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank as part of their Affordable Housing Program (AHP).  Other key financing partners include: City of Aurora HOME Funds, FirstBank of Aurora permanent mortgage financing, and MMA Financial.

Local, state and national housing industry officials attended the event, which also helped kick off the 2006 Summer Conference of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).

Don Cameron, President of NAHRO, noted that the Residences at Trolley Park project is a good example of the entrepreneurial trend toward creating partnerships with financial institutions, city agencies and developers to create housing for families of modest income.

Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer applauded the AHA’s efforts in creating the partnership with the City of Aurora and Medici Communities to develop the Residences at Trolley Park.  “The important thing to remember is that we are not just creating housing, we are creating homes for families,” Tauer said.

Other special guests included: John Carson, Regional Director of the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD); Cris White, COO, Colorado Housing & Finance Authority; Aurora City Council members Larry Beer, Bob Broom and Brad Pierce; and  representatives of Senator Wayne Allard and Congressman Bob Beauprez.

Odell Architects designed the Trolley Park complex, which will feature balconies on the upper floors, a secured “bike barn,” and a 70-space underground parking garage.  Amenities will include a courtyard with playground and bench seating, a large community room, a computer lab and security entrance gates. The exterior will be clad in brick and stucco.

Each residential unit will have large storage closets and washer/dryer hook-up.  Half the units will have built-in desks near the kitchen/living room area, and most will have a breakfast bar for casual dining.

Another AHA project, Florence Square, was also selected as a tour site during the NAHRO Conference held in Denver, July 14-16.  NAHRO is the nation’s oldest and largest membership organization of 21,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals.   Preston Prince serves as the President of the Mountain Plains NAHRO.

Commmunity Welcomes AHA Renovation Project

March 4, 2005

As Aurora community officials celebrated the unveiling of Villa Verde, the Aurora Housing Authority's latest rehabilitation project at 1641 Alton St., they warned the audience about impending cuts in community development funds.

Press Release (47KB)

Renovation Project Provides New Housing in Original Aurora

February 18, 2005

The Aurora Housing Authority will unveil its latest rehabilitation project, the Villa Verde apartments, at 1642 Alton St. in original Aurora in ceremonies Wednesday, Mar. 2 at 2 p.m.

Press Release (43KB)