Archway Communities Receives Wells Fargo Foundation Affordable Housing Grant

Archway Communities (Archway), based in Lakewood, Colo., has received a $50,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation for the development of two affordable housing communities in Pueblo, Colo. 

The grant will create more housing for local residents through a total of 120 units of affordable housing located on two sites: one in Pueblo’s Northside neighborhood and the other in the Belmont neighborhood, on the site of an historic former United Church of Christ congregation.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to support the Pueblo community through these new affordable housing properties,” said Laura Brudzynski, COO of Archway. “Archway is dedicated to providing supportive services that engage residents and help them identify and reach their goals. This grant from Wells Fargo will go beyond development of these properties to help residents stabilize in their affordable home.” 

The property in Pueblo’s Northside neighborhood is anticipated to provide up to 96 units of affordable housing. The property is the site of the former Christ Congregational UCC, which Archway acquired after church members decided they no longer needed a physical space to keep their congregation together. 

“We were connected to the congregation through our ongoing UCC connections with the UCC’s Rocky Mountain Conference and the area local UCC churches,” said Shaina Maphet, Archway’s development manager. “Archway’s mission and planned use for the site aligned with the desires of the congregation and we purchased the site in 2021.”

The new construction on the site will feature up to 24 affordable units. The church building, which was designed by Elizabeth Wright Ingram, granddaughter of Frank Lloyd Wright, will be preserved and repurposed as a community space for residents. 

“Like the Wells Fargo Foundation, Archway has a longstanding commitment to affordable housing and enriching the lives of Coloradans,” said Wells Fargo Vice President of Philanthropy & Community Impact Kelly Littrell. “Archway’s innovative approach to community development aligns with our mission to invest sustainably into underserved communities.” 

Archway will conduct strategic community outreach to engage stakeholders and community members to ensure diversity and inclusion while developing new properties. These voices will ensure diversity and inclusion to ensure historically marginalized groups and residents are able to have input in their own communities. 

This grant will serve individuals and families living between 30-80 percent of the Area Median Income in Pueblo. According to a study conducted by City of Pueblo’s Housing and Citizen Services, more than 9,000 housing units will be needed in Pueblo County over the next decade and Archway will work to support the residents in the county. Every Archway community has onsite supportive services, property management, and maintenance technicians who work collaboratively to meet the needs of each resident.