Many individuals come to Bayaud Enterprises seeking assistance to find employment, yet simultaneously may be struggling to obtain affordable, stable housing. This has become an increasingly challenging process because of the high cost of housing in the Denver area. In 2011, Bayaud formalized its commitment to accessing housing resources for its participants by partnering with a local nonprofit affordable housing developer, Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation. This partnership pairs housing with case management and supportive services to provide safe, well-maintained, and affordable housing for 30-40 individuals, including veterans or others who were homeless, had a documented mental illness, and met income guidelines. These residents are willing to pursue employment and other vocational goals as part of an overall plan for personal recovery and stability.
During this time there have been multiple successes including family reunifications, many first days on the job, increased access to medical service, and community development, to name a few positive outcomes. It has been an excellent partnership that has demonstrated a proven roadmap to end homelessness. This partnership has shown Bayaud how challenging it can be to manage affordable housing developments. With braided funding, layers of regulations, and dynamic residents, affordable housing is a complicated puzzle.
In our efforts to continue to be an innovator of employment programs, in 2021 Bayaud expanded its supportive housing service provision to 50 residents of the nearby Atlantis Community Inc., that provides apartments for adults living with disabilities. In the coming months, Bayaud will begin offering comparable services annually to 100 adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) for the City of Denver.
Recent research is showing that these types of services are a cost-effective solution that can lower public costs associated with the use of crisis services such as shelters, hospitals, jails and prisons (National Alliance to End Homelessness). With the support of our donors and volunteers, Bayaud can continue to offer culturally responsive, trauma-informed interventions to improve outcomes for our constituents.