Olsson Serves as Trusted On-call Consultant for Denver Housing Authority

“Affordable housing” has emerged as a buzz phrase in Colorado, and particularly in the Denver Metro Area. As new urban neighborhoods and skyscrapers push prices higher, it has become crucial that existing affordable developments keep their space intact and available.

Many developers are creating new spaces to balance out the rapidly growing housing market. Olsson has become involved in numerous projects with several housing authorities in the area to help make affordable housing available.

In 2016, the Denver Housing Authority (DHA) sought qualified firms to provide geotechnical and materials testing services on an as-needed basis for upcoming residential rental construction projects. So far, we have provided these services for two developments in Denver:

• DHA Headquarters
• Lowry Apartments
   

The depth and detail of our on-site testing aided each project’s progress and transparency, allowing for smooth communication and collaboration.

DHA has expressed appreciation not only for the breadth of services Olsson provides, but also for the contract requirements we adhere to, including partnerships with local minority- and women-owned businesses. Olsson has also received positive feedback from the City and County of Denver (CCD), for the high-quality, third-party inspections provided during the installation of public utilities that serve new affordable housing developments.

The DHA has many development projects planned within the Denver Metro Area, and CCD has begun to rely on Olsson to provide thorough, accurate inspections to ensure that the city’s infrastructure meets high standards. The first year of the contract went extremely well, and it is anticipated that Olsson and the DHA will continue their on-call relationship for the next several years.