NDHC Resume

NORTHEAST DENVER HOUSING CENTER INC. (NDHC)
1735 Gaylord Street
Denver, CO 80206  
(303) 377-3334
(Fax) 377-3327
www.nedenverhousing.org

NDHC’S description of its mission, experience and current activities:

Mission Statement:
TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERSERVED HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

Organization:
Northeast Denver Housing Center (NDHC) was organized in November 1982, as a Non-profit 501(C) 3 community Development Corporation in the state of Colorado.

Its board of directors representing the community, public and private sector governs NDHC. The Executive Director is the chief operating officer with 10-15 full-time paid staff with consultants on a project need basis. The annual operating budget for NDHC is approximately $1,100,000 (not including construction and special projects).

NDHC is supported by grants and contract services from private foundations, corporations, public sector, the community at large and project related earned income.

Current Programs & Accomplishments:
NDHC has specialized in designing and developing programs and housing units that have focus on critical needs of low to moderate income households and the community.

Step 1:  Comprehensive Housing Counseling:  Over 300 households a year are provided with one on one and group educational housing counseling services in three distinct areas: a) pre-purchase-homebuyers getting ready to buy, b) foreclosure-prevention- homeowners needing assistance to prevent lose of their home, and c) reverse equity loan certification for seniors.  NDHC is a HUD certified counseling center and works with local financial institutions, Colorado Housing Finance Authority and City of Denver. NDHC has been providing these services to the community for 22 years.

Step 2: Next Step Housing: Forming collaborative partnerships with local support service providers NDHC has produced and manages 55 units of housing.  Special needs population -homeless families, parenting teens; mental health clients and HIV-AIDS disabled people are served. Over 65 households a year are served with affordable housing and supportive services designed to improve the living conditions and self-sufficiency capability of our clients.  NDHC developed these units for a total cost of over $2.75 million (acquisition/rehabilitation).

Step 3: Affordable Rental: NDHC has produced and manages over 500 units of affordable housing.  Historic buildings, vacant and abandoned structures were renovated utilizing historic and low income housing tax credit financing as well as private/public sector funds.  Renovation of existing buildings revitalizes the existing community & creates construction related jobs in the community. The target population for the rental units is households making less than 80%, 60% and 50% of area median income.  The total project / development cost of this program area is over  $ 35 million.

Step 4: Home Ownership: Over 160 families have become homeowners through NDHC’s program. The program purchases & rehabilitates existing units and or builds new ones. The target populations are low and moderate-income families (less than 80% of AMI).  For those families that need it NDHC’s lease-purchase “Home Ownership Incubation Program” allows them to move into the homes they intend to buy and work on their “bankablity”, with the help of NDHC housing counselors.  The development cost of this program area is over $16 million dollars.

Community Building & Improvement Programs:

A. Healthy Home Initiative;
  1.      Lead and Asthma Abatement Program:
Children aged 5 and younger living in homes with lead and asthma safety problems is the primary beneficiaries of this initiative. NDHC administers the program working with over 10 different agencies from local, state and federal agencies. The program provides dollars for the needed rehabilitation and replacement cost that will reduce and eliminate the risk of lead and asthma in the home. In addition to managing the construction/rehabilitation work NDHC staff conducts community outreach and education targeting the oldest part of town where lower income families live. Over 100 units (currently 25 completed) will be done in the 2001-2003-time period. The total cost of the program is $1.8 million dollars.

  2.      Community Education / Outreach:
NDHC arranges, networks, and conducts classes and seminars to educate those in the community about Lead and Asthma related problems.  NDHC arranges or attends various community events to further educate families of the health and safety problems found in their homes and neighborhoods.  

B. Profesional Services:
  1.      Architectural & Construction Management:
NDHC staff and graduate students from the University of Colorado-Denver school of Architecture provide services to NDHC projects, other non-profits and local community groups through NDHC’s Design Development Studio. The service aims at improving the quality of products by utilizing NDHC’s expertise in project design and development. It works on improving the quality of affordable housing and increase the level of professional interest in affordable housing and community development.

  2.      Green Building:
Initially funded by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this program area incorporates building design and products that help create a safe and Healthy living environment. NDHC’s Design and Development Studio has produced 16 home ownership units under this Program and the Denver Home Builders Association (HBA) “ built green” program.    Construction and rehab material used by NDHC and its partners reflects the commitment of green building whenever possible. The program demonstrates the fact that affordable housing is not “cheap” housing. The initiative demonstrates the design and material standards that can improve the quality of affordable housing.

  3.      Property Management:
In partnership with a sister non-profit NDHC organized a professional property management corporation (Continental Divide Property Management Corp) that currently manages over 800 residential properties. This has enable the two non-profits improve and maintain the quality of housing and services to their clients.

Awards/Recognition

• 1993 Won recognition by the City of Denver for the first parenting teen housing development that provides 24 hours supervision and an intensive developmental program
• 1996 Associated General Contractor ACE Award- Project of the Year- Under 2 Million  & American Institute of Architects Western Mountain Region Design Award the Austin for the Austin Building, a historic mixed-use building with 18 affordable apartments.
• National Excellence Award for Best Practices
• NDHC was one of 25 agencies in the nation to receive recognition for its “Continuum of Program Enriched Housing” by HUD/EPA/DOE.  The program was recognized for its sustainable approach in the design and deliver of programs and housing for lower income households
• 1999 Green Built Home of The Year. Awarded by the Denver Home Builders Association NDHC’s pilot demonstration single-family new construction unit won the annual award. A 1480 sq. ft. 3 bedroom home exhibited the latest technology (photovoltaic to produce electricity), and an array of environmentally safe and recycled products to win the competition.
• Winner of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society’s 1999 Renewable Energy in Buildings Award for Affordable Housing for the Clermont Residence
• Honorary Mention for being built green and sustainable-2004 Excellence in Design Awards by Environmental Design and Construction Magazine for the Whittier Affordable Housing Preservation Project
• 2005 Best In America Award for Madison Helathy Homes

CURRENT ACTIVITIES:
1. Housing Counseling
2. Next Step Housing
3. Rental Housing
4. Lead and Asthma Abatement-Healthy Homes Initiative
5. Housing Development: Homeownership /Rental
6. Architectural & Construction Management Oversight