The first-of-its-kind affordable housing complex will soon exist in Greeley.
Community leaders, including the mayor, broke ground on Thursday at an empty lot near the Catholic Charities Guadalupe Community Center.
The complex, built by Catholic Charities, will provide 47 units for the homeless and for families on a tight income.
Monthly rent will be based on each individual’s salary, requiring they pay up to 30 percent of their annual income.
“It’s a blessing from God,” said Blaise Miller, who has been living at the Guadalupe Center, the shelter next to where the complex will be built, for the past five months.
Before the center, he was living out of his truck because he couldn’t afford the increasing rent prices around Greeley.
“It’s definitely an epidemic in Colorado right now,” said Justin Raddatz, who works for Catholic Charities’ housing branch.
According to Sears Real Estate, the price for a home in Greeley has gone up by nearly $58,000 in the last three years.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports rent prices have gone up by 8 percent in the city since last year.
“Housing for one bedroom -- you’re looking at probably $750-800 and there’s no way they can pay for that,” said Miller.
But the new complex will offer more than affordable housing.
Residents will be have access to mental health assessments, job search programs and other resources provided by Catholic Charities.
“The church has to get involved with helping people that are most in need,” said Raddatz, ”that’s really why we exist and that’s really our calling here.”
The complex should be complete by next year.
People could begin the application process by as early as next January.
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