Construction Begins on 97 Affordable Homes in Montbello Neighborhood
Published on March 02, 2023
Phase I of the Montbello FreshLo Hub to offer income-restricted rental units exclusively for individuals and families
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock joined the Montbello Organizing Committee and FLO Development Services today to celebrate the groundbreaking of a 97-unit affordable apartment community at the Montbello FreshLo Hub. The project represents the first phase of a new mixed-use development that will also include a local grocery, cultural arts education center and a business incubator.
Located at 12444 E. Albrook Dr., the Montbello FreshLo Hub will offer housing for a range low- and moderate-incomes, with units designated for households earning up to 30% of the area median income (AMI), as well as units at the 50% and 70% AMI levels. Nearly one-third of the rental units will serve households earning up to 50% of the area median income ($41,050 for a single-person household).
“Affordable housing options in Montbello are expanding thanks to community-driven solutions like the FreshLo Hub,” said Mayor Hancock. “This project is a testament to the power of community organizing, and we’re proud to invest Denver resources to enrich quality of life in this great neighborhood.”
The six-story project will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The building will also house a WellPower mental health center, office space for the Montbello Organizing Committee and other community-serving spaces.
“It’s so rewarding to be surrounded today by our friends, neighbors and supporters as we break ground on the Montbello FreshLo Hub” said Donna Garnett, Chief Executive Officer, Montbello Organizing Committee. “This is a community-inspired, community-directed, and ultimately, community-owned project that will help ensure that Montbello thrives and celebrates its unique and vibrant culture. We look forward to the construction of the building and having a site for affordable housing, mental health and wellness services, a community grocery store, a cultural arts education, retail and meeting space and so much more in our community.”
Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) is providing $3,300,000 in development financing toward the $49.3 million housing development. Denver Economic Development & Opportunity provided financing to help support land acquisition of the former Regional Transportation District Park-N-Ride site. Other public financing partners include the Colorado Housing & Finance Authority and the Colorado Division of Housing.
Montbello FreshLo Hub is the latest city-supported affordable housing development to begin construction in Denver. A total of 1,645 affordable units that have received city financing are currently under construction at 32 sites throughout Denver. An additional 986 income-restricted units are in the planning stage.