Why We Believe in Affordable Housing

This year, Rocky Mountain Communities (RMC) is celebrating 20 years in the affordable housing industry. There have been many changes since the organization was founded, both as a company as well as in the economy. Incorporated in 1992, RMC originally was called Rocky Mountain Mutual Housing Association. Today, RMC owns and manages over 1,000 affordable units throughout Colorado for families making 30-60% of the area’s median income.

The average move-in income at an RMC property is $20,496 – just 36% of the state’s median income of $56,993. Richard Taft, who was hired as RMC’s President and CEO at the beginning of 2012, sees great things on the horizon for RMC, the industry, and perception of affordable housing.

“Affordable housing is a challenge, but it works,” he said. “It not only works to strengthen the family on the inside, it dramatically strengthens the community on the outside.”

Affordable Housing Impacts Economic Competitiveness

Affordable housing is a crucial component of an area’s economic competitiveness, but RMC believes that it goes further than that. By partnering with organizations and businesses in the community, RMC is able to broaden the opportunities it provides to residents. Area businesses and agencies are invited to provide specific training and access to technology, as well as to sponsor youth activities.

These partnerships not only provide tangible benefits for residents, but they also strengthen neighborhoods by fostering good relationships between residents and area businesses. The greater neighborhood is stabilized when residents stay longer in their homes and transfer skills learned into other areas of their lives.

Stable Housing and Education Lead to Success

Oumar, a former resident of RMC’s Garden Court Community, credits the community for helping him see the importance of stable housing and education. His family moved into Garden Court shortly after his parents divorced. Because of the affordability and safety of the community, his mother was able to raise four kids while attending school and working full time. Oumar worked with the I Have a Dream Foundation and stayed in school, keeping his grades up and eventually qualified for a scholarship. Today, he is a recent college graduate with a degree in sociology and anthropology and has returned to Garden Court with Americorps to help with the current afterschool program in the same community room where he did his homework.

Join us as we embark on the next 20 years providing more families like Oumar's with a safe, stable, affordable place to live.