The Mental Health Center of Denver Celebrates

For Immediate Release

The Mental Health Center of Denver celebrates the grand opening of Sanderson Apartments Part of Denver’s social impact bond program to fund supportive housing for 60 people

DENVER, August 24, 2017…. Colorado Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Carl Clark, M.D., president and CEO of the Mental Health Center of Denver, are among city leaders celebrating the completion of the Mental Health Center of Denver’s Sanderson Apartments on August 24, 2017.

Modeled after successful permanent supportive housing projects in other U.S. cities, Sanderson Apartments will provide safe, affordable homes to 60 Denver citizens who are experiencing homelessness and provide support services to help them live stably and independently in their community.

“Sanderson Apartments is a testament to our mission to improve lives by finding solutions to homelessness through innovative funding options and partnerships,” said Carl Clark, M.D., president and CEO of the Mental Health Center of Denver. “When people have a safe place to live, they can more easily transform their lives. Sanderson Apartments will help residents every step of the way with supportive services and thoughtful design features to help them feel safe and improve their well-being.”

People who experience homelessness often cycle in and out of jail, which affects their well- being and comes at a cost to taxpayers. The City and County of Denver established a social impact bond (SIB) to fund a supportive housing program to help stabilize people caught in the homelessness-jail cycle through housing and supportive services. As part of the SIB, Sanderson Apartments will provide permanent supportive apartment homes to 60 individuals.

“We know that when people are in their own homes, feel safe, and are provided access to the support they need, they’re able to work toward overall well-being and a life they’ve always dreamed of having,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, who spoke at today’s event. “Through social impact bond financing, and projects like Sanderson Apartments, we are pairing health and home to help 250 people experiencing homelessness begin a path to a healthier life.” In addition to being an important piece of Denver’s SIB, Sanderson Apartments is one of the first buildings in the nation to be built from the ground up using the principles of trauma- informed design. Trauma-informed care is an organizational structure and treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma. And while the practice is widespread amongst treating clients and survivors, it’s only now being put into building and design practice.

"Thanks in part to the social impact bond, Sanderson Apartments will help those who have formerly experienced homelessness to build stable and productive lives," said Melinda Pollack, vice president and Denver market leader, Enterprise Community Partners. "It's critical that residents have homes within a healing environment, both through building design and accompanying services. As one of the first affordable developments to be built from the ground up with trauma-informed design in mind, Sanderson Apartments is uniquely suited to meet this need."

Sanderson Apartments is the largest and most distinctive supportive housing project that the Mental Health Center of Denver has built. Located at 1601 South Federal Boulevard in Denver, the three-story, 50,000 SF building includes 60 one-bedroom, furnished apartments with on- site staff and amenities, including wellness center, library, art room and safe courtyard.

The building was funded through Low Income Housing Tax Credits through Colorado Housing and Finance Authority as well as financing from the Denver Office of Economic Development, Colorado Division of Housing, UMB Bank and Enterprise Community Investment. Sanderson Apartments were designed by Davis Partnership Architects and constructed by Denevue Construction Services.

Since its inception, the Mental Health Center of Denver has integrated housing programs into its services. Serving the city and County of Denver, the not-for-profit community mental health center has been delivering comprehensive and accessible mental health and substance use treatment, housing, education and employment services for more than 25 years. Our work helps adults to live more fulfilling lives, children to be more resilient and families to be happier and healthier. Last year, the Mental Health Center of Denver provided treatment, prevention, outreach and crisis services to more than 44,000 children, families and adults.

The City and County of Denver is committed to creating stable housing for 250 people experiencing homelessness. The cost of providing safety-net services to 250 of Denver’s homeless population is approximately $7 million per year. Stable housing and supportive services can prevent expensive encounters with the criminal justice and safety-net systems and help individuals lead more stable and productive lives.

For more information, visit www.mhcd.org/sandersonapts

MEDIA CONTACTS: For more information on Sanderson Apartments and the Mental Health Center of Denver, contact Karen Prestia, [email protected] or (303) 802-9904. For information on the City and County of Denver’s strategy to connect people to good homes, good jobs and healthy lives, contact Julie Smith, [email protected] or (303) 513-6851.