Seventy-eight year-old Karlyn Huffman (pictured, above) describes herself as outgoing and independent.
“I go everywhere.”
Her building (pictured below) is adjacent to a light rail station.
She even makes the necessary transfers so she can shop in Boulder.
Denver is just one of many cities in the United States that has embracedtransit-oriented development.
Huffman’s experience anda slideshow accompanying this articleoffer a glimpse into how such projects enhance lives.
By that measure, Huffman could be considered asuper-userof transit, taking at least three bus trips every weekday.
While she makes trips by public transportation, she does enjoy rides with friends and neighbors.
Huffman’s location also has allowed her to stay in her longtime community.
Yale Station Apartments are just two miles from her previous home of 20 years.
Nevertheless, she describes her home of five years in highly positive terms.
“I most love [Yale Station Apartments] for the transportation, she says.
Transit-oriented development is oftena victim of its own success.
Transit-rich neighborhoods become vibrant and sought after by buyers and renters of all ages, pushing up housing costs.
Huffman would not have been able to afford this sought-after neighborhood were it not for the reduced rent.
“It’s a powerful tool to create affordable housing.”
According to Koelbel, the wait list at Yale and theUniversity Stationapartments nearby includes more than 30 names.
Vacancy rates are less than 1 percent.
Denver is hardly the only city where developers are building affordable housing that is conveniently located near transportation amenities.
Atlanta is facilitating this bang out of development through strong policy and funding commitments.
Reynoldstown Senior Residencesis a new independent-living, affordable senior housing facility.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, theCity of Atlanta,Invest Atlantaand the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
(Watch anAtlanta Beltline videoto see Reynoldstown residents talking about where they live.)
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Page published September 2017
