DENVER — The East Colfax Mixed Income Neighborhood Trust, or EC-MINT, is the fifth of its kind to open across the U.S.
The East Colfax Community Collective (or EC3) and Trust Neighborhoods launched the EC-MINT project to address gentrification, rising rent pricing people out of their homes, housing instability, and poor housing conditions, among other reasons. EC3, and Trust Neighborhoods, a national nonprofit, have been working on this idea for two years.
“The EC-MINT has emerged out of necessity, the necessity to combat the housing crisis in our community with a durable potent solution that shifts the control of housing into the hands of the community,” said Carson Bryant, the MINT director for the East Colfax Community Collective.
EC3 bought the building at 1371 Xenia St. in Denver to help people living near East Colfax struggling with housing instability and fear of displacement. Their hope is that they can stop rent from rising so people can stay in their homes for longer.
“We're only the fifth city in the nation to adopt this model,” said Nebiyu Asfaw, the vice president of EC3.
“The MINT will step in to stabilize rents and create long-term affordability for residents,” said Bryant.
Another goal of the MINT is to improve housing conditions.
“Some of the stuff they need to really fix in the building because it's really bad, because I just feel like it's not safe,” Parker said.
EC3 hopes this property is more than just an acquisition. They said they want lasting change, and to set an example for other communities.
“I pray to God for a better place,” Parker said. “It's bad out here. But when you come to your home, that's your home. So you, you could be welcome to your own place,” Parker said.