Elevation Community Land Trust, in partnership with the City of Fort Collins, State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs, TWG Construction LLC, Federal Home Loan Bank, Larimer County and Colorado Division of Housing, celebrated the new BirdWhistle Townhomes, a landmark affordable housing development in Fort Collins.

Named in honor of Charles and Mamie Birdwhistle, esteemed figures in Fort Collins' history, local officials celebrated the new affordable housing development with a ribbon cutting March 22.

Located in Southeast Fort Collins, the development offers 54 permanently affordable townhomes.

The City of Fort Collins partnered with Elevation Community Land Trust and others to develop this part of the City's land bank into BirdWhistle Townhomes. The Land Bank program acquires sites currently lacking infrastructure, which lowers the price and then waits until development occurs around it. As surrounding projects construct the utilities and streets, the Land Bank property becomes easier to develop. This program ensures a good distribution of land will be available in the future to increase the stock of affordable housing units.

Honoring a Legacy

BirdWhistle Townhomes pays homage to Charles and Mamie Birdwhistle. Charles Birdwhistle, a decorated veteran of the Spanish-American War, migrated to Colorado during the Great Migration, seeking refuge from the pervasive racism of the Jim Crow South. The Birdwhistles established themselves as pillars of the community, owning a home on Oak Street in downtown Fort Collins and opening their doors to countless Black travelers, gospel groups and scholars.

About Elevation Community Land Trust:

Elevation Community Land Trust (ECLT) is dedicated to creating inclusive communities by preserving affordable housing opportunities for generations to come. Through innovative partnerships and sustainable development practices, ECLT empowers individuals and families to achieve homeownership and build a brighter future. Learn more at www.elevationclt.org.

About the City of Fort Collins:

The City of Fort Collins believes one key to a healthy community is the ability to house its residents in good-quality, affordable housing. The City plays an important role in facilitating the supply of affordable housing, including allocating local, state, and federal funding to housing providers, setting policies and regulations, and coordinating with housing developers and initiatives. Learn more at www.fcgov.com/affordable-housing.