When the land across the street from The Colorado Health Foundation went up for sale, instead of watching a new luxury apartment tower go up, the Foundation decided to create a “health oasis.” They envisioned a community with health amenities built in, but there was just one problem: the Foundation isn’t a housing developer. Neither was Solid Rock Christian Center in Colorado Springs. But they had undeveloped land right next door to their church and a need for housing in their community.  

Both organizations decided to take a leap and build affordable housing by forging creative partnerships. Maribel Cifuentes of the Colorado Health Foundation and longtime developer Susan Powers of Urban Ventures discuss how they are partnering to bring this “health oasis” to life, in the form of the Tapestry Block. Ben Anderson, pastor at Solid Rock Christian Center, explains how he built his own development corporation to get into the affordable housing business. That’s what made it possible to build the Village at Solid Rock, which opened in 2024. Now, he has plans for another housing development that will include a grocery store, child care and other amenities. These partnerships are just a few examples of how organizations are working together in innovative ways to address Colorado’s housing crisis.  

Resources from this episode:

• The Colorado Health Foundation
• The Tapestry Block
• Urban Ventures
• Solid Rock Christian Center
• Solid Rock Community Development Corporation
• The Village at Solid Rock
• Yes in God’s Backyard

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