FORT COLLINS, Colo. — More affordable housing units are coming to Fort Collins.
In 2021, Denver7 first told you how Heart of the Rockies Church was working with local nonprofits to transform nine acres of its land into affordable housing. On Thursday, Heartside Hill officially opened its doors.
The development is going a step further by providing housing options for adults with disabilities.
Cristina Mahon is a longtime member of the church and remembers when Heartside Hill was just a mere idea.
“We believe that it is intrinsic to who we are, and that is what we are called for," she said. "As we follow our faith, we want to make a difference and improve the lives of folks as we can."
Now, Heartside Hill is ready to make that difference as Fort Collins' newest affordable housing development.
Fort Collins
Affordable housing to break ground on church property
Three nonprofits – Care Communities, Habitat for Humanity of Fort Collins, and L’Arche Northern Colorado – have joined forces to create an inclusive community.
“It was critical for Heart of the Rockies to see that diversity of housing type and serving a variety of populations to align with their mission and vision, which then is reflected in the partners that they selected,” said Steve Kuehneman, Care Communities executive director.
Heartside Hill’s 72 affordable rental units are just the beginning.
As you can imagine, finding affordable housing options is already hard enough. For folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it's even harder.
It's why L’Arche Northern Colorado is also building two shared homes to serve this population.
“I think having that diversity of housing types serving a variety of populations is really what makes Heartside Hill unique,” Kuehneman said.
“We really want to create a community," Mahon added. "A community where people feel that they belong, that they can be who they are, that they create those relationships that make a difference."
And after years of pouring their heart and soul into this, it's finally real.
“We hope that this is an impact, not just the immediate impact, but something that keeps giving,” said Mahon.
