A village that will house 14 people who have experienced homelessness should begin construction near 38th and Walnut streets this week.
Organizer Nathan Hunt said Monday morning that the city of Denver had issued all of the necessary permits for the Beloved Community Village project, which is the first of its kind to win city approval. (The city says there are still a few quick approvals left.)
The Colorado Village Collaborative plans to pour portable concrete pads for the temporary houses this week. On Saturday, May 20, the group plans to host a volunteer day to frame the houses. (Look for volunteer information at the bottom of the post.)
CVC has raised more than $80,000 for the project from online donors, private sources and a grant from the University of Denver's Barton Institute for Philanthropy.
The village is to include 11 off-grid houses and a central building. It also will have showers, restrooms and regular services provided by the nonprofit Bayaud Enterprises, such as laundry.
The village is to run largely “off-grid,” with water tanks and portable toilets. It will tap into the local power grid for its first few months, with solar panels to be added later.
The project symbolizes the growing movement to provide "housing first" as a solution for homelessness. Its decisions will be informed by a council of its residents.
The village will be allowed to stay at its site, a vacant lot owned by Urban Land Conservancy, for six months. Its organizers are in talks with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to open a second version later.
Read more about the plans in our previous coverage.
Volunteering:
- 5/20 - framing
- 5/22 - framing/assembly
- 5/23 - framing/assembly
- 5/26 - doors/windows
- 5/27 - sheathing
- 5/30 - finishing
