ALAMOSA — Less than one year after receiving a grant to provide housing for individuals who, for a variety of reasons, have difficulty finding or qualifying for housing elsewhere, the project known as “Horizon Heights,” is just a few days away from first renters moving in.
Although the city was listed as the organization applying for the Community Investment grant of $2,338,914, which was awarded by Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, completing the grant was a joint effort between the city, SLV Housing Coalition and SLV Behavioral Health.
Going forward, Horizon Heights will be managed by staff with San Luis Valley Housing Coalition while wraparound services will be provided by staff with SLV Behavioral Health.
In a nod to those doing the work, the project came in ahead of schedule and, as of August 1, 2024, $188,738 under budget.
Located off Airport Road, Horizon Heights is a residential community comprised of 18 one- or two-bedroom cottages plus one building devoted to laundry facilities and another that serves a dual purpose of providing space for an on-site manager and services from SLV Behavioral Health.
Of the 18 residential cottages built on site, 15 are one-bedroom homes and 3 are two-bedroom. All cottages are ADA accessible with rent for the one-bedroom cottages (336 square feet) slated at $425 per month and the two-bedrooms (554 square feet) at $575.
Water, trash, and sewer are provided with renters responsible for heat and electricity.
“The cottages are very similar to a hotel,” says Dawn Melgares, executive director of the Housing Coalition. Melgares reports that all cottages are currently rented with renters ranging from single parent families to couples. One cottage will be rented to a mother and son. “Almost all renters were referrals from non-profits,” she says. “And people are coming from a variety of situations. Some are currently homeless, some are couch surfing and others are living in housing that is unsafe.”
Melgares went on to say that, after background checks were completed and applicants were told they would be able to rent a cottage, several people began to cry.
She is also clear that Horizon Heights is not transitional housing. Tenants must meet certain criteria to be eligible to rent. It is, instead, more similar to “gap” housing for those people who have some type of barrier to renting more traditional places to live.
With the eventual goal of renters moving into more permanent housing, renting a cottage at Horizon Heights is temporary, designed for renters to live there no longer than two years. Renewals and inspections will happen every six months while tenants work on circumstances in their lives that will allow them to be successful in more traditional, long-term housing.
Melgares adds that there is the possibility that some renters may stay slightly longer than two years if circumstances require that but renting at Horizon Heights is not meant to be viewed as a permanent, long-term situation.
There are also rules in place that renters will be expected to observe, including quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and abiding by housekeeping standards. Pets are allowed, but tenants are expected to keep their cottage clean, and a renter can have a guest stay with them but only for a limited amount of time.
With an eye toward people transitioning to more permanent living situations, wrap around services provided by SLV Behavioral Health will be available to renters as people work on circumstances in their lives that may have proven to be barriers to renting in the past. Services include case management, transportation, workforce training, support in addressing medical issues and behavioral health services.
But, in describing the situation, Melgares is also clear. Horizon Heights is not transitional housing. Renters had to meet certain criteria to be eligible for a cottage.
She also said there is a waiting list of people hoping to move in in the future.
As of Aug. 1, people were expected to move in between Aug. 10 and 15 while final projects are completed in the community.
