ALAMOSA — Affordable, accessible housing is approaching a crisis level at the national, state and local level, and Alamosa is no exception. In response, about a year ago, the city of Alamosa in collaboration with SLV Housing Coalition (SLVHC} and SLV Behavioral Health (SLVBHG) took a gamble on a housing project that, according to City Manager Heather Brooks, no one had done before.

Using grant money not typically devoted to housing, the city contracted with and oversaw construction of Horizon Heights, a housing development made up of 20 one- and two-bedroom cottages built specifically for the purpose of providing transitional housing for individuals and families who, for a variety of reasons, were not able to rent a place to live in the traditional market.

Once completed, the city stepped back and handed the keys – literally and metaphorically -  to SLVHC who contracted to operate and manage the facility on a permanent basis.

Due to the unusual decision for a municipality to actually construct housing to meet a growing need, there were no models to follow and no guarantee that the project would work.

Last week, Dawn Melgares, executive director at SLVHC, provided an update to members of council on how the first year went. The takeaway:  the gamble is paying off.

For context, Horizon Heights has four buildings that are two bedroom (about 550 square feet, rent is $575 per month) and 15 one bedroom houses (about 350 square feet, rent is $425), 

“Think hotel room with the bedrooms separated,” Melgares said. “But even being small, they have everything they need, including a full-sized bathroom, a kitchen and living room combined and bedrooms. Bathrooms are full ADA accessible and all kitchens have soft close cabinets with a lazy Susa, stove, fridge and hood vents.”

The cottages are large enough to provide what people need to be comfortable but small enough to encourage renters to move on, she said.  The focus of Horizon Heights has always been to provide transitional housing for up to two years with no intention of people living there on a permanent basis.

To date, 80 applications have been approved and 29 have been moved into the property, leaving a current waiting list of 51 applications, mostly for the one-bedroom.

Of those 29 households who have moved in over the past year, 13 have moved out. Of those 13, 10 have moved into various permanent housing situations.

Two moved back home after successfully saving for the move due to affordability. Four  moved into rent assisted housing, 3 with SLVHC and 1 with Alamosa Housing Authority. One became a homeowner. One was able to find additional resources that helped them with their personal needs and two moved into market rate housing.

There were two who were evited for different reasons and, unfortunately, one passed away from natural causes.

“We have two more leaving this month, both on a positive note.”

Melgares, Sanchez and others have consistently emphasized that access to wrap around services is crucial in supporting successful transitions in people’s lives, and that has been a big factor in this approach.

Tenants have received services from La Puente, SLV Behavior Health Group, Center for Restorative Programs, Tu Casa, Veteran Services, Hope in the Valley and other organizations from around the Valley to help them find stability in housing and other aspects of their lives, Melgares said..

“We have seen single person households, single parents, veterans, couples with and without children, those with ADA accessibility needs including being wheelchair bound, those with minor justice involvement, some in addiction recovery, but ALL are just people who needed a second chance that was affordable so they could find and maintain stability.” Other services like the Freedom Wagon and another transportation van have made permanent stops to assist residents.” 

From the beginning, Melgares committed to being transparent and briefed council on some of the issues that have been dealt with, including “guests or community members who do not live on property but have tried to use it to their benefit.”  Most have been trespassed from the property.

There has been an issue with getting the grass to grow, but that should be taken care of next year, and both mosquitoes and stray animals have been an issue but weekly spraying has greatly reduced the bug problem

“For most, those living at Horizon Heights have become a family,” she told council. It’s not uncommon to see people standing in the street visiting, taking a needed household supply to a neighbor, or even those with a car giving those without a ride to work or an appointment.

In short, it sounds like Horizon Heights has transformed into a supportive, functional community providing people looking to make transitions in their lives with the support needed to make those changes happen.

“It’s not all perfect, and we never promised it would be,” she said.  But the collaboration with the City of Alamosa, the Homeless Coalition, SLV Behavioral Health Group and the many other organizations involved is proving that thinking outside the box about housing can be successful.