Housing for All: Income Restrictions and Supportive Services at The Stella

In the heart of Denver’s historic Globeville neighborhood stands The Stella, a new standard-bearer for affordable, supportive housing in the 21st century. As housing challenges intensify across the United States—particularly in rapidly growing urban centers like Denver—the need for developments that go beyond affordability has become critical. The Stella offers a powerful response, combining income-based access with wraparound services designed to support residents in achieving stability, independence, and long-term success.

While the term “affordable housing” often conjures images of mere shelter, The Stella pushes the concept further. It recognizes that to truly serve communities in need, housing must be paired with thoughtful, human-centered support. Whether someone is living with a disability, recovering from housing instability, or trying to rebuild after financial hardship, The Stella provides a foundation that goes far beyond four walls and a roof.

Building a Framework for Income-Based Access

The Stella was developed with a clear mission: to create housing that is affordable and accessible to individuals and families across a spectrum of income levels and support needs. This was achieved through a meticulously designed allocation of units based on Area Median Income (AMI) thresholds, with particular attention paid to underserved populations.

Income Distribution Breakdown:

• 97 units are reserved for households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• 18 units are available for those earning up to 80% AMI.
• 16 units are specifically designated for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or those at risk of homelessness.

This tiered structure ensures that The Stella serves a broad and inclusive mix of residents, from working-class families to people transitioning out of homelessness. By establishing these income parameters, the development meets residents where they are, without placing undue financial strain on them.

Importantly, The Stella doesn’t just stop at income eligibility—it also incorporates deep outreach and screening processes to ensure that those most in need are aware of and able to access the housing. From the outset, the goal was not just to fill units, but to fill them thoughtfully and equitably.

A Holistic Approach: Supportive Services On-Site

A defining feature of The Stella is its integration of supportive services, which are offered on-site in partnership with Laradon, a local nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities and other barriers to independent living.

This partnership brings a crucial dimension to the housing community, transforming The Stella from a traditional apartment complex into a hub of personal development, wellness, and social connection.

Key Support Services Include:

• Case Management: Residents facing complex challenges—whether financial, emotional, or health-related—can receive personalized support from trained professionals. Case managers work with individuals to develop plans for long-term stability and growth.

• Job Training and Employment Services: For residents seeking to improve their economic mobility, The Stella offers access to vocational training, resume-building workshops, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. These services help individuals not only find employment but build sustainable careers.

• Life Skills Coaching: From budgeting and meal planning to time management and communication skills, life coaching empowers residents with the tools they need to navigate daily life confidently and independently.

• Health and Wellness Resources: On-site wellness programming promotes both physical and mental health. This includes access to counseling referrals, health screenings, and workshops on nutrition, exercise, and stress management.

• Accessibility Support: Residents with developmental or physical disabilities benefit from tailored services that enable independent living, including mobility support, adaptive equipment training, and connection to community resources.

These services are more than amenities—they are life-changing interventions that enable individuals to not only survive but thrive.

A Model for Housing Equity

What sets The Stella apart in the crowded field of affordable housing developments is its explicit focus on equity. While many projects address affordability in general terms, The Stella was conceived with a more nuanced understanding of what housing equity truly means.

Addressing Systemic Gaps

• People with Disabilities: In many urban housing markets, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities face significant barriers—not only in affording housing but also in finding units that meet their physical and cognitive needs. The Stella allocates 16 units for these individuals and ensures access to services that support independent living.

• People at Risk of Homelessness: The Stella directly targets those who have been displaced, are currently unhoused, or are on the verge of losing their housing. By offering affordable units alongside case management and mental health support, the development provides a structured path toward stability.

• Low-Income Working Families: As housing prices rise across Denver, even families with steady employment struggle to find affordable homes. The Stella meets this need by offering spacious, high-quality units at prices aligned with local wages.

This equity-driven model ensures that those often left out of the traditional housing market can find a home—and a supportive community—at The Stella.

Living in a Community That Cares

From the moment residents walk through the doors of The Stella, they are welcomed into a community built on mutual respect, safety, and opportunity. The building’s layout and amenities were designed to encourage social interaction while maintaining privacy and independence.

Features That Foster Community:

• Common Areas: Community rooms and landscaped courtyards provide natural gathering spaces where neighbors can meet, celebrate, and support each other.

• Resident Events: The Stella organizes workshops, social gatherings, and educational sessions that bring residents together and encourage ongoing personal development.

• Safety and Security: With secure entry systems, well-lit common areas, and 24-hour maintenance, residents enjoy peace of mind and a sense of safety—especially important for families and vulnerable individuals.

Residents consistently speak to the sense of belonging they feel at The Stella. One longtime Denver resident who recently moved in shared, “This is the first place I’ve lived in years where I feel both safe and supported. I’m not just surviving anymore—I’m building a future.”

A Rare Opportunity in a Transforming Neighborhood

Globeville, once a largely industrial neighborhood, is now one of Denver’s most exciting areas for community-focused redevelopment. With deep cultural roots and a long-standing working-class identity, Globeville has long been overlooked by developers. That’s now changing—but not at the cost of the community’s original character.

The Stella stands at the intersection of growth and preservation, ensuring that long-time residents and vulnerable populations are not displaced by gentrification, but rather welcomed into the neighborhood’s bright future.

For individuals and families searching for affordable apartments for rent in Globeville, The Stella represents more than a housing option—it’s a lifeline. It offers an opportunity to live in a revitalizing community with access to the support, stability, and dignity everyone deserves.

Policy and Funding That Makes It Possible

The Stella is the result of a powerful collaboration between public and private entities, driven by shared values and a commitment to social impact.

Key Partners:

• Gorman & Company: A nationally respected developer specializing in affordable housing projects with integrated services.

• The City of Denver: Through its Department of Housing Stability (HOST), the city provided crucial funding, oversight, and long-term affordability guarantees.

• Laradon: A mission-driven nonprofit that ensures supportive services are woven into the fabric of daily life at The Stella.

This multi-sector partnership showcases what can happen when housing is treated not just as infrastructure, but as a critical component of health, wellness, and equity.

Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for the Future

The Stella is more than a success story—it’s a blueprint for how cities can and should approach affordable housing moving forward. It reminds us that true housing stability cannot be achieved through affordability alone; it must also include wraparound support, inclusive access, and an unwavering commitment to dignity.

As more cities grapple with housing crises, The Stella offers valuable lessons:

• Housing is healthcare. When people have a safe place to live, their physical and mental health outcomes improve dramatically.

• Support matters. Integrated services can make the difference between temporary housing and long-term stability.

• Equity requires intention. Serving vulnerable populations takes more than good intentions—it requires a deliberate structure, funding, and inclusive design.

The Stella proves that when these elements come together, lives are changed.

Final Thoughts: Home Is Just the Beginning

At its core, The Stella is about restoring possibility—about giving people the chance to breathe, to plan, and to thrive. It’s about transforming the idea of affordable housing from something bare-bones and transactional into something restorative and community-driven.

For Denver’s housing-insecure families, individuals with disabilities, and those recovering from homelessness, The Stella represents more than just another apartment building. It’s a new beginning.

And for anyone searching for affordable apartments for rent in Globeville, this is more than a listing—it’s a place to call home, supported by a community that truly cares.