Metro West Housing Solutions’ Newest Affordable Housing Community
Lakewood now has an additional 65 units of affordable housing that are now home to hard-working families and individuals.
Metro West Housing Solutions (MWHS) recently celebrated the completion of Lamar Station Crossing Phase II, a new build which houses 65 studio through three-bedroom apartments affordably priced for Lakewood households earning between 20 and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The early December timing of its opening truly gave new meaning to “home for the holidays.”
Lamar Station Crossing Phase II completes MWHS’ Lamar Station Crossing Campus, the first phase of which was completed in 2014. Lamar Station Crossing was the first multi-family development in its corridor, taking advantage of RTD’s brand new W Line and an existing Head Start program neighboring the property. Lamar Station Crossing turned out to be a trendsetter: since the opening of Phase I, the stretch of Lamar along the W Line has seen multiple multi-family market rate and affordable developments open as Colfax Avenue continues its renaissance.
Phase II builds on the unprecedented success of award-winning Phase I, utilizing the pre-existing community space and capitalizing on even more outdoor community space with the addition of more community gardens and access to Lamar Station Crossing’s innovative outdoor classroom. It continues MWHS’ tradition of constant innovation by becoming the first affordable housing development in Colorado to be designated Zero Energy Ready Homes. With units priced at the 20% AMI level, it offers a deeper level of affordability than most Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments are able to provide.
Phase II was also constructed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tami Fischer, CEO of Metro West Housing Solutions, praised the project’s partners and collaborative effort: “From presenting in front of CHFA to apply for Tax Credits to construction, lease up, and move in, the entire team had to collaborate to ensure not only an on-time opening, but a safe environment for crews, employees, and residents at both phases. The team wasn’t afraid to pivot, and always kept our end goal in mind: provide beautiful, high-quality affordable housing for those in Lakewood who need it most.”
Lamar Station Crossing Phase II was built as a public-private partnership with Tax Credit Equity provided by FirstBank. Tax Credits were awarded by CHFA, and additional funding was provided by our partners at the City of Lakewood, Jefferson County, and Colorado Division of Housing.
Other partners on the project include Calcon Constructors, Energetics, Enterprise Community Partners, Ivy Street Design, Modern Century Design Studio, and Ratio Architects.
About Metro West Housing Solutions: Metro West Housing Solutions (MWHS), established in 1974, is a non-profit affordable housing agency and property developer that owns and manages apartment communities in Lakewood and Denver, administers Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) to eligible Lakewood residents, and facilitates a wide range of resident services for clients. In addition to the 1,610 affordable and LIHTC units MWHS has acquired and developed, MWHS also manages 1,104 HCVs and has housed over 30,000 individuals and families.
