Laurel House

Colorado

Laurel House is a 34-unit permanent supportive housing development for homeless youth ages 18-24 in Grand Junction, CO. The property consists of a single three-story building two miles from downtown Grand Junction. Approximately 4,000 square feet of community space is dedicated to on-site management, supportive services, and general community space. Amenities include front desk reception, a common laundry room, seating areas, a media room, and bike storage, as well as a patio and barbeque. In-unit amenities include a dishwasher, refrigerator, range/oven, garbage disposal, and microwave oven. Each unit is fully furnished to serve the resident population.

Laurel House provides significant supportive services to ensure successful housing outcomes for its formerly unhoused youth population. Owner and co-developer Karis, Inc. is the lead supportive services provider. Karis was established in 2009 and is mission-focused on housing issues in the Mesa County region. A nonprofit organization, Karis specializes in serving runaway and homeless youth with transitional housing and shelter.

Karis coordinates the overall service plan at Laurel House, and collaborates with two local nonprofits, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Mind Springs Health, Inc. Rocky Mountain Health Plans provides specialty medical care, medication management or monitoring, and health and wellness education. Mind Springs Health, Inc. provides general supportive services including case management, psychosocial assessment, and individualized service planning. Mind Springs Health, Inc. will also provide mental health, substance abuse, and employment services. Supportive services are provided at no cost to the residents and are funded from property operations, Medicaid reimbursement to Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Mind Springs Health, Inc., and from a Karis-funded supportive services reserve under the Colorado QAP’s permanent supportive housing/homeless project type.