In the heart of Denver’s Globeville neighborhood, just north of downtown, The Stella at 5190 N Broadway stands as a symbol of what’s possible when thoughtful urban development, meaningful partnerships, and inclusive housing strategies come together. As one of the most impactful examples of affordable apartments for rent in Globeville, The Stella offers more than just modern design and comfortable interiors—it embodies a deeper mission centered on support, accessibility, and equity—that truly sets The Stella apart.

Community Impact: The Stella’s Role in Supportive & Accessible Housing is more than just a tagline—it’s a lived reality for the individuals and families who now call this community home. By offering income-restricted units, integrated support services, and accessible design, The Stella serves as a model for inclusive, community-driven development in Denver and beyond.

A Mission-Driven Approach to Housing

At its core, The Stella was built to serve a purpose: to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for residents often left out of traditional housing markets. Developed in 2021, the building comprises 132 income-restricted apartments designed to accommodate a diverse range of households, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and support for individuals with disabilities.

Among the units:

• 16 are ADA-accessible apartments specifically dedicated to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
• 97 apartments are reserved for residents earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• 18 apartments are designated for residents earning up to 80% AMI.

This unit mix reflects a commitment not just to affordability, but to inclusion—ensuring that residents of all abilities and economic backgrounds have a place within the community.

In a housing market as competitive as Denver’s, The Stella fills a critical gap. It offers a stable foundation for those who need it most, proving that affordability and quality design do not have to be mutually exclusive.

The Laradon Partnership: Housing Meets Human Services

What truly distinguishes The Stella from other affordable housing projects is its close collaboration with Laradon, a Denver-based nonprofit organization that has served individuals with IDD and other disabilities since 1948. Built directly on Laradon’s long-standing campus, The Stella seamlessly integrates housing and support services, creating a living environment where residents can thrive—not just survive.

A key feature of this partnership is the 5,486-square-foot on-site Laradon Career Center located within The Stella itself. This facility provides:

• Employment training and job placement assistance
• Supportive counseling services
• Daily living skills coaching
• Community programming designed for individuals with IDD

This embedded resource not only makes The Stella a hub for independence and growth, but also ensures that residents with IDD are surrounded by staff, programs, and infrastructure tailored to their success.

The relationship between The Stella and Laradon represents a new model of integrated supportive housing, where care and services are part of the living environment, not an afterthought. It’s a bold step forward in a city striving to build not just housing, but community.

A Legacy of Inclusive Development: Following The Elisabetta

The Stella is the second phase of a larger vision for inclusive housing at the Laradon campus. It follows the success of The Elisabetta, a 91-unit affordable housing development that opened on the same site in 2020.

The Elisabetta laid the groundwork for what The Stella would build upon: an inclusive, community-oriented, and service-enriched housing model in one of Denver’s most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods. Together, these two developments now provide more than 220 affordable homes with an emphasis on accessibility, support, and human dignity.

This ongoing commitment to inclusive development in Globeville is not just about adding units—it’s about transforming the way communities are built and sustained. With every new family that moves in, every individual who gains employment support, and every neighbor who finds a true sense of belonging, the impact becomes tangible.

Funding That Reflects Collective Commitment

The Stella’s \$42 million to \$46 million development cost was made possible through a powerful network of public and private partnerships. This project is a shining example of what can happen when city leaders, financial institutions, nonprofits, and housing advocates come together with a shared mission.

Key contributors included:

• City of Denver’s Affordable Housing Fund – provided \$3.5 million, demonstrating the city's commitment to expanding deeply affordable housing.
• Colorado Housing & Finance Authority (CHFA) – a vital source of financing and tax credits.
• Denver Housing Authority (DHA) – played a strategic role in guiding and supporting the development.
• Chase Bank, Lument, and National Equity Fund – brought in essential investment capital and financing expertise.

These collaborations ensured not only that the building could be constructed to high standards, but also that rent could remain affordable and support services could be adequately funded.

This type of financing structure reflects a new paradigm in community development—one where affordability is preserved without sacrificing quality, and where the long-term social return on investment is prioritized over short-term gain.

Breaking Barriers to Housing Access

The Stella’s design and operational model actively addresses systemic barriers that many low-income residents and individuals with disabilities face when searching for housing. Traditionally, those living with IDD, fixed incomes, or Section 8 vouchers encounter long waitlists, limited options, and units that fail to meet their physical or cognitive needs.

By reserving units specifically for IDD individuals and deeply affordable income tiers, The Stella changes that equation. Residents no longer have to choose between accessibility and affordability, or between supportive services and community living.

Moreover, by placing all residents—regardless of income or ability—within the same inclusive community, The Stella promotes social integration and dignity. It stands as a real-world example of how to build housing equity through thoughtful planning, design, and management.

A Neighborhood Transformation

Situated in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood, The Stella is also contributing to the broader revitalization of an area with deep historical roots and cultural significance. Long known for its industrial past and working-class heritage, Globeville is now at the center of a new wave of community-focused investment.

But The Stella isn’t about gentrification or displacement. Rather, it’s about creating new opportunities for existing residents and ensuring that the neighborhood’s transformation includes everyone. With its affordable rents, accessible units, and wraparound services, The Stella helps preserve the social fabric of Globeville while improving the quality of life for its residents.

By anchoring supportive housing within a vibrant, transit-connected community, The Stella also helps reduce social isolation—a challenge that disproportionately affects low-income and disabled individuals. Access to local parks, schools, transportation, and job centers is no longer out of reach.

An Evolving Model for Urban Housing

In the broader context of urban development, The Stella represents a new housing model that cities across the country would do well to emulate. It shows that when housing is approached not just as shelter—but as a platform for equity, support, and inclusion—transformative outcomes follow.

The Stella exemplifies what can be achieved through mixed-use affordability, strategic partnerships, and community-based services. Its model supports a range of needs without stigma or separation. Families, individuals with IDD, and low-income earners share the same hallways, courtyards, and community rooms—not just as neighbors, but as equals.

For policymakers, developers, and community organizations, Community Impact: The Stella’s Role in Supportive & Accessible Housing should be more than a case study. It should be a blueprint.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Purpose-Driven Housing

In an era where affordable housing is often in short supply—and where the needs of the most vulnerable can be overlooked—The Stella delivers more than just keys to a front door. It delivers opportunity, stability, and dignity.

With thoughtfully designed spaces, affordable rents, ADA-compliant units, and on-site support services, The Stella redefines what supportive housing can be. It creates not only a place to live but a place to grow, thrive, and belong.

As housing advocates and urban leaders look toward the future, projects like The Stella remind us that the real impact of housing goes beyond square footage. It lies in the lives uplifted, the barriers removed, and the communities strengthened.

The Stella isn’t just another development on a map. It’s a landmark of inclusive progress—and a vital piece in Denver’s journey toward housing justice for all.