Archway Housing: A Tale of Two Affordable Residence Projects

Once upon a time, there were two run-down buildings at West Colfax Avenue and Gray Street. Archway Housing & Services saw a wonderful opportunity to turn one into a multi-unit affordable housing venue for deserving low-income individuals, veterans and families. It was christened 40 West Residences. As the project was completed, using financial know-how and a little fairy-tale magic, Archway was able to purchase the adjacent site to be built as a virtual 40 West twin-sister property. With the cooperation and hard work of Archway staff, and caring people representing government organizations, architects, builders, financial institutions and groups of supporters, The Flats At Two Creeks was created. The new venue is dedicated to offering its residents a safe haven and services that will allow them to live happily ever after.

Archway coordinators and property managers

On Thursday, Jan. 16, supporters gathered at The Flats At Two Creeks to celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, brunch reception and open house. Joyce Alms-Ransford, CEO of Archway Housing & Services and Archway Investment Corporation, presided over a program filled with gratitude and best wishes for the new venue.

Those who spoke to the crowd included: Rev. Lee Berg, Archway board member; Andrea Weule, Archway Investment board president; Rev. Robinson Lapp, Archway board president; Rev. Stephen Ray, president of Chicago Theological Seminary; Rev. Sue Artt, conference minister, Rocky Mountain Conference-United Church of Christ; David Skilling, mayor pro tem, City of Lakewood; Rick Garcia, executive director, State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs; Tasha Weaver, Colorado Housing & Finance Authority; Debbie Burkart, National Equity Fund; Jim Rieker, Advantage Capital; Sean Doherty, Impact Development Fund; Michelle Lapidow, Dept. of Veteran Affairs-Homeless Programs; and Charles Davis and Maddie Nichols, Two Creeks Neighborhood Association. After a spirited ribbon-cutting, guests toured the sparkling new facility: 70 one-bedroom and 8 two-bedroom units, with 20 apartments set aside for homeless veterans.

The Flats At Two Creeks, and adjacent 40 West Residences (left side of photo).

The mission of Archway Housing & Services, Inc. is to change lives by providing housing and related supportive services that engender a safe environment and teach community skills for families with very low to moderate incomes. Its goal is to build healthier communities by offering quality affordable housing with services that enhance the social and economic well-being of families in Metro Denver. Archway’s inclusiveness initiative, funded through The Denver Foundation, is part of the organization’s effort to build its organizational capacity by focusing on how it can continue to effectively address the need for affordable housing in a diverse community. Archway Housing & Services, Inc., pledges to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or military status in any of its activities or operations.

The organization is an affiliate of the Rocky Mountain Conference-United Church of Christ and a member of The Council for Health and Human Services Ministries, UCC (CHHISM). To learn more, please visit http://www.archwayhousingandservices.org/.