Plans are moving along for the construction of a new housing project in Denver designed to serve seniors who are homeless.
Officials with the St. Francis Center, which has been providing shelter, food, and support services to homeless individuals in the Mile High City since 1983, say the new facility will go up at 221 N. Federal Boulevard.
That site, owned by the City of Denver and about 3 miles to the southwest of the downtown area, was an empty lot for more than a decade. In the last several years the property has been a designated Safe Outdoor Space populated by residents living in a series of tents and operated by an organization known as the Colorado Village Collaborative.
The lease for the space expires in May, opening the way for the senior shelter project.
As planned, the St. Francis facility will be three stories in height, housing 60 residential units. Of that number, 51 will be one bedroom, with the remaining units designated as two bedrooms.
Support funding for the project to the tune of $12.5 million is coming from the city via private activity bonds.
The new St. Francis facility is only the latest in a series of senior housing projects that have recently won the approval of the City of Denver.
By Garry Boulard
