The affordable housing issue continues to dominate the agenda in Colorado, where rising population pressures exacerbate the need for accessible housing solutions.
Despite a recent slowdown in growth, the demand for affordable housing remains acute, prompting professionals from varied sectors— including developers, nonprofit organizations, policymakers, and community advocates—to work collaboratively on this complex challenge.
Recognizing the urgent need for education in this field, University of Denver faculty Susan Daggett and Vivek Sah identified an opportunity for DU to establish a program dedicated to advancing the skills of professionals engaged in affordable housing efforts.
The result of their vision is the eight-month Executive Certificate in Affordable Housing, co-developed by the Burns School of Real Estate & Construction Management at the Daniels College of Business and the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute at the Sturm College of Law.
The program is made possible through generous funding from the Simpson Family, Grand Peaks, and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.
Sah, who serves as the director of the Burns School, noted, “While programs addressing affordable housing exist nationwide, they typically lack depth and a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach.”
In total, the certificate program consists of eight modules that cover critical topics such as housing policy, real estate finance, and the social implications of funding and building affordable housing.
The inaugural cohort of 26 students was selected from over 80 applicants, representing diverse professional backgrounds including policy leaders, local government officials, builders, and real estate and community professionals.
“Our aim is to foster a more refined affordable housing ecosystem in Colorado,” stated Daggett, who serves as the executive director of the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute.
In this report, we delve into the experiences of five students from the program to uncover their motivations for enrolling and the insights they have gained.
Dindi Gaines, a Housing Stability Coordinator for the Adams County Government, expressed a profound connection to the social dimensions module.
“The social dimensions module resonated with me the most. It’s about the narrative that reveals why we’re facing these challenges,” Gaines explained.
She appreciated how the module asked participants to envision the ideal world of affordable housing, unconstrained by financial or legal limitations, before addressing the systemic issues like racism and redlining that persist today.
Reflecting on the human impact of these issues, she stated, “Spreadsheets can’t tell you the story. Hearing from families who’ve moved from public housing to homeownership was critical to understanding the real-life implications of our work.”
Amy Schwartz, Vice President of Social Responsibility and Community Partnerships at Oakwood Homes, emphasized the importance of the program’s interdisciplinary approach.
“These challenges are complex, and this program brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds who might never have crossed paths otherwise,” Schwartz noted.
She highlighted the potential for shared learning to drive innovation within the industry and noted that while change may be gradual, the depth of insight gained from the group is invaluable.
Patti Liermann, a Housing Planner with the Town of Avon, praised the program’s faculty and guest speakers.
“The experts are incredibly accessible, and they’ve focused on our learning experience,” she noted.
Liermann also pointed out the collaborative nature of the cohort, where students are eager to support one another and share resources as they work on various projects.
“Our diverse experiences are our strength, and being able to reach out to classmates for insights fosters a supportive learning environment,” she added.
Michel Gephart, Vice President of Operations at Maiker Housing Partners, shared his enthusiasm for learning about areas previously unfamiliar to him, particularly in public land use and policy.
“The variation in challenges across regions highlights how nuanced affordable housing issues can be,” Gephart explained.
Engaging with peers from different environments, such as rural and city areas, has emphasized the need for tailored approaches to housing solutions, reiterating that not all solutions are universally applicable.
Shelley Jensen, Founder & CEO of We Fortify, discussed her immediate application of the knowledge gained from the program.
She recalled a key piece of advice from developers in the first on-site weekend: engaging stakeholders early in a project leads to more effective solutions.
Putting this advice into practice, Jensen connected with the city while planning a nursing assistant and lab technician village in Woodland Park, aiming to understand and incorporate local expectations from the onset of the project.
The Executive Certificate in Affordable Housing at DU signals a significant commitment to addressing the housing crisis through education.
With expertise spread across disciplines including real estate, land use law, social work, and public policy, DU is poised to lead the response to the housing challenges facing the Rocky Mountain West.
The program is part of a broader initiative that seeks to integrate and enhance resources for housing education, backed by the support of alumni and community partners.
Donors contributing to the DU’s Executive Certificate in Affordable Housing can help fortify this initiative, which aims to become one of the foremost housing education ecosystems in the country.
This program encapsulates DU’s commitment to advancing the public good through action, scholarship, and research, fueling innovation in housing policies and practices throughout the region.
Enhancing programs like this through The Denver Difference Campaign allows faculty at DU to leverage research and expertise to foster a brighter future for communities both near and distant.
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