Planning for future affordable housing

 

 

Planning for future affordable housing

March 13, 2022

Lee Patke, Executive Director

Graccio Housing

Greccio Housing.  Executive Director, Lee Patke is excited about their work toward affordable housing in Colorado Springs and efforts to support seniors.  They have three strategies to acquire and rehab, adapt and reuse, and new construction.  Their target is 1000 units by 2025.  They are part of the Affordable Housing Collaborative that is presenting to the Colorado Springs City Council in March.  Their newest building is the Atrium, 60 and older, 55 units.  Will Stohler Lee who is with community impact adds they have an additional focus on extra support services, stabilization, community enrichment and health and wellness.  The Atrium is a much needed housing option in Colorado Springs as existing housing stock continues to get bought up by investors and turned into more expensive housing, displacing the older adults who have been there for years.  Residents who were fortunate to get a lease with the Atrium had been in a complex that was charging $650 for rent, the new owners came in and raised the rent to $1200, leaving the residents desperate for options.  Atrium charges rent based on an individual’s income level, so this worked well for many older adults.  The community will look forward to Greccio’s next move.

 

 

 

The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging hears from potential new service agencies

Two transportation resources and a service to support family caregivers were presented at the February Regional Advisory Council of the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging.  First, Goodwill’s Good Wheels.  Ms. Kristen Amundson, Business Development Specialist and also a member of the PPACG Mobility Coordinating Council shared about their community service/open to the public, door through door program in Colorado Springs with a 20 mile transit radius.

 

Also, Hop Skip Drive.  Mr. Erik Seymour, Regional Sales Manager, shared Hop Skip Drive is a door to door service similar to Lyft.  They employ private contractors through a significant screening process.  They started by transporting children who are outside school district capacities and are now expanding to older adults.  They are hoping to expand to Colorado Springs at some point.

 

Last, Health Promotion Partners.  Ms. Terri Cassidy, founder and CEO, shared about their Skills to Care program a research based program to support caregivers on how to address both home safety for their family member and also caregiver plan to address behavior change over time.  Terri is an OT and after many years running the Fitness to Drive program out of Penrose Hospital she is working to bring OT services into the community.  She continues to run the Fitness to Drive program and is the only Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS) certified person in Southern Colorado, six in the State.

 

 

 

 

The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging hears from potential new service agencies

Two transportation resources and a service to support family caregivers were presented at the February Regional Advisory Council of the

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Directory

Arts & Culture

Financial & Legal

Health & Wellness

Housing

Leisure & Recreation

Government & Advocacy

Safety

Transportation

Volunteering & Employment