The Rural Homes Project has been making a significant impact in the small towns of Norwood, Ouray, and Ridgway, situated in the breathtaking San Juan Mountains of Colorado. By focusing on affordable housing, this groundbreaking initiative is addressing the pressing need for cost-effective and sustainable living solutions in rural areas. One particularly exciting development involves the establishment of home-based childcare businesses in three of the Ouray homes, providing a valuable service to the community and creating new opportunities for economic growth. In this blog post, we’ll explore how the Rural Homes Project and its partnership with Fading West, a factory home builder based in Buena Vista, Colorado, are revolutionizing rural life and helping to create vibrant, thriving communities.
The Donnell-Kay Foundation is excited to participate in this incredible project alongside numerous other foundations, nonprofits, and governmental agencies. It takes all three sectors to make this dream of home ownership come true.
Affordable Housing and Home-Based Childcare in Ouray
A key component of the Rural Homes Project is the provision of affordable housing options to attract and support a diverse range of residents with a particular focus on families. Recognizing the need for quality childcare services in rural areas, the project has allocated three homes in Ouray specifically for individuals who wish to start home-based childcare businesses. The local early childhood council, Bright Futures, is providing a business accelerator for those interested in both affordable housing and starting a home based childcare business.
This initiative not only helps to address the childcare gap in the community but also creates additional employment opportunities and supports local families. By combining affordable housing with a practical solution to a pressing community need, the Rural Homes Project is fostering stronger, more interconnected communities in Ouray and beyond.
Fading West: The Factory Homebuilder Partner
To bring the vision of affordable, sustainable housing to life, the Rural Homes Project has partnered with Fading West, a factory home builder based in Buena Vista, Colorado. Fading West constructs energy-efficient, cost-effective homes in their factory, which are then transported and assembled on-site in Norwood, Ouray, and Ridgway.
This partnership not only ensures high-quality, affordable housing for residents but also supports the local economy by creating jobs and utilizing regional contractors and suppliers. Additionally, Fading West’s commitment to eco-friendly building materials and practices aligns with the Rural Homes Project’s dedication to environmental stewardship, making them an ideal partner in this ambitious endeavor.
Impact on Norwood, Ouray, and Ridgway
The Rural Homes Project, with its focus on affordable housing and creative solutions like home-based childcare businesses, has begun to transform the communities of Norwood, Ouray, and Ridgway.
With the addition of 24 affordable homes in Norwood, up to 70 affordable homes in Ouray, and 16 affordable homes in Ridgway will meet the needs of current residents and businesses. This will strengthen the local economies and will help create a more diverse, vibrant community fabric.
The partnership with Fading West further enhances the project’s impact by providing high-quality, affordable homes while simultaneously promoting environmental sustainability and local economic development. As a result, the Rural Homes Project is setting a new standard for rural living and demonstrating the potential for innovative, collaborative solutions to address the challenges faced by rural communities across the country.
The Rural Homes Project in Norwood, Ouray, and Ridgway showcases the power of affordable housing and creative problem-solving to transform rural communities. By addressing the need for sustainable living solutions, promoting local economic growth, and fostering innovative initiatives like home-based childcare businesses, the project is creating a brighter future for residents of these picturesque mountain towns. With the support of partners like Fading West, the philanthropic, nonprofit and governmental sectors, the Rural Homes Project stands as a testament to the potential for collaboration and ingenuity in tackling the unique challenges faced in rural Colorado. Check out this article in the Colorado Sun for more information and please contact Tony Lewis at the DK Foundation if you’d like more information or want to join us in this exciting work!
Contact Tony
