News
Colorado Hotel Conversion Provides Affordable Housing for Adults with Disabilities
<p>A former La Quinta hotel in Castle Rock, Colorado, has been transformed into an affordable housing complex called &#8220;The Unity on Park,&#8221; offering adults with disabilities the opportunity to live independently for the first time. The project, a collaboration between Douglas County and the nonprofit Wellspring Community, officially opens this week.</p>
<h2>A Dream Come True for Residents</h2>
<p>For many residents, this development is a significant milestone in their lives. Carl DeGolier, a 31-year-old on the autism spectrum, is among the first to move in.</p>
<p>&#8220;I’ve been kind of chomping at the bit, really, to finally move out and have my own place to set up how I want to,&#8221; DeGolier said.</p>
<p>Twenty-five-year-old Damon Bunch, who lives with intellectual disabilities, also recently moved out of his parents&#8217; home. His apartment, which he calls the &#8220;Walt Disney suite,&#8221; reflects his love for Disney, complete with themed decorations and a Mickey Mouse toilet cover.</p>
<p>&#8220;I just thought I’d be living with my parents for the rest of my life,&#8221; Bunch shared. &#8220;Now that I have my own place, it makes me feel really proud of myself.&#8221;</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8816" src="https://budgyapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/affordable-housing-disability-support-Castle-Rock-The-Unity-on-Park.jpg" alt="affordable housing, disability support, Castle Rock, The Unity on Park" width="733" height="441" /></p>
<h2>Independence with Support</h2>
<p>The Unity on Park offers 42 affordable housing units, 20 of which are reserved for adults with disabilities. Wellspring staff live on-site, available around the clock to assist residents with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry.</p>
<p>Nicole DeVries, Wellspring’s Executive Director, emphasized the transformative impact of the project.</p>
<p>&#8220;Everybody has this desire to leave their parents&#8217; home&#8230; That is a sense of independence that everybody wants. But for people with IDD, that is something that very few can attain,&#8221; DeVries said.</p>
<p>The facility also fosters a sense of community, with many residents participating in Wellspring&#8217;s day programs, located next door.</p>
<h2>A Collaborative Effort</h2>
<p>The $10 million project received substantial financial support from the state of Colorado, Douglas County, the town of Castle Rock, and Developmental Pathways.</p>
<ul>
<li>State of Colorado and Douglas County: $4 million contribution</li>
<li>Town of Castle Rock: $650,000 fee waiver</li>
<li>Developmental Pathways: $500,000 contribution</li>
</ul>
<p>The remainder was financed through a loan to be repaid via rent payments from residents.</p>
<h2>A Brighter Future</h2>
<p>For residents like DeGolier and Bunch, The Unity on Park represents more than just a place to live—it’s a life-changing opportunity.</p>
<p>&#8220;It’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to live in a place like this,&#8221; DeGolier expressed. &#8220;I kinda wanna see what it’s like and maybe figure out more about myself.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bunch added, &#8220;It makes me feel really excited because I never thought I would have that.&#8221;</p>
<p>Douglas County commissioners will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony this Thursday to celebrate the development.</p>