High Plains Housing Development Corp., a nonprofit organization serving Weld County, has been selected for a competitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credit award by the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). This coveted resource will enable the construction of 58 units of supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness chronically in Greeley. The StarRise Apartments at North Weld Village project marks a significant step forward in addressing the urgent needs of our community’s most vulnerable residents.
“During the recent cold weather season, over 500 people faced the harsh reality of homelessness in Greeley, with only a handful of housing options available,” noted Jodi Hartmann, executive director of High Plains Housing Development Corp. “StarRise Apartments will provide permanent housing with comprehensive support services to our most vulnerable and chronically homeless neighbors, offering safety, stability and an opportunity to again have a home.”
Situated on the former North Weld Produce property in north Greeley, StarRise Apartments is the initial phase of a substantial North Weld Village campus. This visionary development will provide a comprehensive response to the housing crisis, with future phases accommodating a 90-unit multi-family property targeting very low-income households. Additionally, phases III and IV will deliver further housing options and employment opportunities, creating a thriving campus and sustainable affordable housing possibilities for many residents.
With a commitment to excellence and experience in these types of projects, Workshop8 in Boulder has been entrusted with the architectural design, while KCI Construction in Longmont assumes the role of General Contractor. High Plains Housing Development Corp. has forged partnerships with Volunteers of America, North Range Behavioral Health and Sunrise Community Health to offer on-site behavioral health services, case management, employment assistance and vital support for daily living and health management skills. Leveraging a private land donation, financial backing from the City of Greeley, a Weld Trust Flagship Award, program funding from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing and ongoing fundraising efforts, StarRise Apartments exemplifies the power of collaborative community action.
StarRise Apartments at North Weld Village will prioritize trauma-informed design principles and include an all-electric ready model. By championing these innovative and best-practice approaches, this unique housing model empowers individuals to pursue a pathway to lasting stability.
“By embracing the proven model of supportive housing, we not only will reduce community costs related to homelessness but also empower residents to maintain long-term housing security,” added Weston Kurz, board of directors chairman for High Plains Housing Development Corp. “StarRise Apartments will complement the existing network of services for those experiencing long-term homelessness, strengthening our collective efforts to support our unhoused neighbors. We are grateful to CHFA for recognizing the immense significance of this project through their generous award.”
High Plains Housing Development Corp. has a longstanding commitment to developing low-income housing tax credit projects. Presently, the organization owns 64 low-income family and older adult apartment units across three locations in Weld County. Since a reorganization in 2018, the nonprofit has thrived under the guidance of a proactive community board, and the leadership of executive director Jodi Hartmann, well-known for her invaluable contributions to the Greeley and nonprofit communities.
For more information about High Plains Housing Development Corp. or inquiries regarding this transformative project, please contact Jodi Hartmann at (970) 405-6072 or via email at hphousingdev@gmail.com.
About High Plains Housing Development Corp.
High Plains Housing Development Corp. (High Plains) was established in 1994 by community leaders from City of Greeley, Weld County Government, and United Way of Weld County to prevent community deterioration in low-income areas, and to assist low-to-moderate income individuals and families through affordable housing development strategies. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation governed by a nine member volunteer board of directors with representation from low income households or neighborhoods, the business community and affordable housing advocates. In its early years under the umbrella of the Greeley/Weld Housing Authority, High Plains developed three tax credit financed properties with 64 total housing units serving very low-income older adults and families. More than 20 years later, these properties continue to provide stable housing.
