A new 80-100 bed permanent housing project that will serve unhoused clients of justice rehabilitation programs in Arapahoe County is now in the works thanks to an agreement with Brothers Redevelopment and an infusion of $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from Arapahoe County.
In basic terms, permanent supportive housing is safe and affordable community-based housing. It uses housing-first, harm reduction and trauma-informed care models to provide shelter and services for unhoused individuals. The approach is nationally recognized as a proven solution to end homelessness because it combines housing and supportive services that enable living stability and independence not available on the streets.
When operational, the project will provide housing and services to unhoused clients of the 18th judicial district problem solving courts, the Arapahoe County Pretrial Mental Health program, Diversion clients of the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Probation Mental Health Program, Project SAFER, Veterans Treatment Court, jail re-entry, and defendants being restored to competency. The facility will improve health and safety, as well as address rehabilitation needs for those with mental health or substance abuse disorders.
“Our Justice Coordinating Committee has been keenly interested in developing supportive housing for justice-involved individuals for years,” said Commissioner Nancy Jackson. “We know it works and we’re elated that we can commit a portion of our ARPA funding to help address this growing problem that was exasperated by COVID.”
Brothers Redevelopment is an established nonprofit that provides housing and related services to low-income, elderly and disabled residents across the state. The organization has a long history of working with Arapahoe County, administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding program that provides home modifications and housing counseling to older adults and disabled residents.
“We look forward to expanding our work with Arapahoe County to serve those who have gone through the justice system and face housing uncertainty along with health challenges,” said Jeff Martinez, president of Brothers Redevelopment. Brothers is currently under construction on a Supportive Housing Community that will serve individuals with brain injuries and related disabilities in Denver.
Commissioners allocated $3 million of the County’s $127 million ARPA funding to the program, which allows partners to move forward on planning and construction. No location has been identified.