All of us in the Denver area know just how difficult it is to find affordable housing. With the cost of living increasing all over the country, it can be difficult to make ends meet.
A Corporal Work of Mercy, we are called to give shelter to those in need, as they are Christ in our midst.
The Social Justice Ministry at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lafayette is doing just that. Following their mission statement to “collectively work together to put our faith in action by building relationships, address local issues that impact our parish community, and create systematic change to uphold our common human dignity,” the ministry is helping to create housing concepts and projects in the city and throughout Boulder County.
One of their projects is especially exciting as it is one of the largest zero-energy affordable housing projects in the state. Willoughby Corner is a planned neighborhood of permanently affordable homes located just southwest of the intersection of 120th Street and East Emma Street in Lafayette.
The neighborhood is being developed by Boulder County Housing Authority (BCHA) and proposes 400 permanently affordable homes in a variety of building types including duplexes, townhomes and apartments. In addition, the 24-acre neighborhood will include community gardens, a dog park, trails and a park space.
Molly Chiang, interim development director at the BCHA, is hopeful about the support they’ve received from the community.
“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response from our community at the recent Social Justice Ministry event promoting Willoughby Corner,” Chiang said.
BCHA anticipates that approximately 20% of the homes will be for sale to those earning between 60-120% of the Area Median Income. Approximately 80% of the homes will be for rent to those earning between 30-60% of the Area Median Income.
More than just a simple housing development, this project isn’t just about creating homes but creating community.
“This exciting new development promises to provide a mix of affordable housing options to meet the diverse needs of local residents – we’re not just building homes; we’re creating a vibrant community where everyone can thrive,” Chiang continued.
The project will also include a senior housing development, Buho Place, which will be the first to be completed this fall with 63 apartments.
Father Shaun Galvin, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, is proud of the ministry and how they discern what projects to take on.
“One of the things I’m particularly proud of in our social justice ministry is how they go about discerning what to work on. They came to the community and heard a number of issues from our parishioners, and through that process they work on a number of different things. The main issue they work on is affordable housing, because that’s what they heard from our community,” Father Galvin said.
Father Galvin said the amount of affordable housing this project will provide is a big deal for the community.
Elizabeth Skibola, parishioner at St. Louis in Louisville, is excited for the opportunity to save up and purchase a home for her family.
“Being on one income so I can stay at home with our two little boys makes it hard to save any money. At Willoughby Corner, we would have the opportunity to set aside money for a down payment on a house or save up for fun family vacations that we otherwise couldn’t afford,” she told the Denver Catholic.
Skibola also said Willoughby Corner would give them the opportunity to welcome new members into their family. “We could also potentially have a bigger space for our family and allow for our dream of having more children to become a reality,” she said.