DENVER, Colorado — A building that used to be used to connect the community to free and affordable health resources could soon be serving the community in a different way.
The city is reviewing a development project on the site of the 9Health Fair building at Speer Boulevard and West 12th Avenue that could bring 132 income-restricted housing units to the Golden Triangle District.
Real estate developer, Sherman Associates, is working alongside the Denver Housing Authority, non-profit Family Tree, Inc., Palace Construction and KTGY Architects to bridge the housing gap.
Sherman Associates senior director of business development and public affairs Dan Collison emphasized the importance of more attainable housing in Denver.
"This project, we believe is a part of a longer term housing solution for those who both face homelessness and those who have income and just affordability struggles," Collison said.
According to the building proposal, the project would be for 100% affordable housing and is a part of the DHA D3 Program.
Collison explained D3 projects focus on permanent solutions to those experiencing financial challenges like poverty.
"They’re permanent supportive housing initiatives that address long term homelessness, poverty and essentially providing homes for individuals at various income levels," Collison said. "Especially those who face the greatest and most difficult intersections around poverty and homelessness."
Collison said the current design includes 80 units dedicated to those transitioning out of homelessness. While the building's goal is to support some of those facing homelessness, he said it is not to be considered a shelter.
"It’ll be a place where community is built across income levels, socioeconomic levels, in a way that not only contributes within itself but also to the diversity of all that the Golden Triangle is becoming," Collison said.
Collison also said since the building will be designed partially to support those coming from potentially traumatic situations, the building will cater to those sensitivities.
"The actual building and the units and the common areas in the counseling rooms will include colors that are healing," Collison explained. "An arrangement of the selection of materials that are calming, and a place where people can integrate their lives together with all of the rest in that particular building and community."
Working on a national real-estate scale, Collison said Denver isn't the only metro-area experiencing these problems with housing. He said cities across the country are trying to figure out solutions to keep people from sleeping on streets.
Collison said remaining available units in the building will be for individuals and families at the average median income.
"Studios to 3-bedroom homes," Collison said.
The proposal was first submitted to the city of Denver on Dec. 22. It is currently in the concept phase, according to the city.
Collison said if approved and funding in the 2024 cycle are secured, construction and operations could begin within the next two to four years.
"It's a long term housing opportunity for individuals and families who either are facing homelessness or face income challenges to find home and be able to live together in the Golden Triangle with the accessibility to resources and vibrancy that we feel will ultimately continue to round out the mosaic that is the Golden Triangle district," Collison said.
For more than 40 years, 9Health Fairs connected the community to lab tests and health resources. 9NEWS played a part in the first health fair in the 1980s.
The organization changed its name to 365 Health in its final year before closing its doors August 2023.
Now, it could be the conduit of a new opportunity: for more people to call Denver home.
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