Archway Unveils Its Newest Affordable-Housing Project: 40 West Residences

With paperwork, financial concerns and inevitable red tape, all the way to the design and physical labor itself, it’s really hard to put together an affordable-housing project. Just ask anyone who was part of Archway Housing & Services’ newest gem: 40 West Residences. On a snowy day in April 2016, a bevy of Archway supporters donned hardhats and grabbed golden shovels to ceremonially break ground for the residential project at 5830 W. Colfax. Ave. Barely 18 months later, they had the opportunity to see their dream come to fruition as 40 West Residences opened its doors for the first time.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for 40 West Residences

On Thursday, Oct. 4, about 75 people gathered at the sparkling new 40 West Residences site to celebrate and tour the building. Nearly everyone in attendance took part in the process, representing an army of companies, government entities and organizations … and there were even more people behind the scenes who had a hand in the successful completion of the building. Among the speakers at the grand opening were: CEO/Executive Director Joyce Alms-Ransford; Mary Anderies and Yvette Craddock, board presidents of Archway Housing & Services and Archyway Investment Corporation respectively; and Adam Paul, Mayor of the City of Lakewood. With the air full of floating white flakes from a building project next door, Mayor Paul had the quip of the day when he told the audience that Lakewood managed to provide both sunshine and “fake snow” for the grand opening.

40 West Residences. Hard to believe that previously this intersection was the site of an old run-down motel.

With four stories and 46,663 square feet, the affordable-housing project is comprised of 54 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments, with 25 of those units set aside for homeless veterans. In partnership with the US Department of Veteran Affairs–VA Eastern Colorado, the Colorado Division of Housing and HUD, residents of 40 West will benefit from Archway’s 25 project-based VASH Vouchers to serve the veterans. Additionally, Jefferson Center for Mental Health, the VA and Rocky Mountain Human Services will provide supportive services, assisting veterans in stabilizing their lives. Lakewood Elks Lodge members and Keller Williams Realty put together complimentary (and complementary) “welcome” baskets of much-needed necessities for new residents.

Lakewood Elks Lodge #1777 Veterans Committee

Archway never rests on its laurels. The organization has purchased the property directly behind 40 West Residences, and plans to turn it into an affordable-housing project with 72 apartments. Archway’s mission 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. Along with that comes the goal of building healthier communities by offering quality affordable housing with services that enhance the social and economic well being of families in metro Denver. For more information, please visit: ArchwayHousingandServices.org.