Foothills Regional Housing's History
​1970s
​
1975
​In October, after years of lobbying from residents concerned with housing costs, and at the recommendation of a Housing Task Force, the Jefferson County Commissioners created the Jefferson County Housing Authority. Gene Fortier was appointed as our first Executive Director after serving on the Housing Task Force.
Gene Fortier - top row, second from right.
​1976
The Emergency Home Repair Program was launched with a $50,000 grant from the Colorado Division of Housing and a matching grant from Jefferson County Housing Authority.

​
1977
The agency receives its first Housing Choice Voucher allocation.
1976. Fran Yehle, JCHA's first board chair (left), presents the funds, matched by Colorado Division of Housing, to start the Emergency Home Repair Program.
1979
​Older adults in Evergreen push for the creation of an affordable housing option. This would mark JCHA’s first housing development which is now Green Ridge Meadows. Today, this 79-unit property is home to adults over 62 and offers robust services to support the quality of life of residents.
1978. U.S. Sen Floyd Haskell listens to Evergreen area senior citizens who are trying to get affordable senior housing in Evergreen.
​1980s
1982
Older adults in Golden see the culmination of 6 years of advocacy with the construction of Canyon Gate. This 53-unit property still provides affordable homes to those aged 62+ along with high-quality services.

​​1985
Orchard Valley is built and is home to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities with services provided by Developmental Disability Resource Center. This partnership still exists to this day.
1990s​

1993
JCHA and Seniors' Resource Center receive HOPE for the Elderly grant to help seniors with disabilities remain in their homes. This provided $1.65 million in voucher funding to JCHA and $1 million to SRC for supportive services. We were one of only 18 programs funded in the nation.


Late 1990s
JCHA rapidly expanded its affordable housing footprint by acquiring 5 properties (80 units). At this time, FRH also had 326 vouchers and 65 public housing units.
2000s

​2001 & 2002
​JCHA helped get the Wheat Ridge Housing Authority and the Broomfield Housing Authority up and running. JCHA managed the WRHA and ran their affordable homeownership program. JCHA loaned BHA 26 vouchers, helped train staff, and managed properties.
​2006
​To better serve the community, JCHA disposed of all public housing units and used the proceeds to purchase 4 properties that are still in our portfolio today. JCHA also acquired the land that would later become Lewis Court (2012) and Flats at Ford St (2021).
2010s
​
Early 2010s
JCHA continued its expansion, growing to over 1,600 vouchers and 1,250 units. After decades of acquisition, the agency began developing properties again with two senior properties (Hidden Lake and Lewis Court).
Picture
2020. Then-HUD Secretary Ben Carson visits CO to hear about FRH and CASA’s success with FYI Vouchers.
​2019
JCHA receives its first Foster Youth to Independence vouchers and place their first tenants. JCHA would be the first in the nation to lease all awarded vouchers, garnering a visit from HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson in 2020.
Picture
2020. Young residents at Glendale pick up free lunches during COVID.
2020s

​2020
In 2020, the agency rebranded to Foothills Regional Housing and moves into a new office building. Since 2002, staff had grown by 416%!

FRH administered $2.5 M in Emergency Rental Assistance during COVID and rapidly expanded in-house services.

2022
FRH receives MTW status from HUD which allows the agency to pilot innovative processes for the HCV program.

2022-Present Day
The agency furthers its status as a leading developer of affordable housing with a rehabilitation of Caesar Square, and development of Vista El Rancho, Flats at Ford St, AVi at Olde Town, and The Ives.​
Foothills Regional Housing
11941 West 48th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033
Main: 303-422-8600 Fax: 303-422-3229
Colorado Relay 711
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