Intermountain Healthcare Donates $30,000 to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority

SJH community contribution photo

Saint Joseph Hospital, now Intermountain Healthcare, understands living without a roof over one's head makes it challenging to live the healthiest life possible. And, our work to fulfill our mission to serve the most vulnerable in our community extends beyond the walls of our hospital.

That’s why Saint Joe’s continues to partner with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to support their shared effort to address the social determinants of health including housing instability. CHFA has convened a group of local government agencies and community organizations to form the Inclusive Housing Coalition in Denver. They work to address health equity and housing for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who experience an extreme shortage of affordable, accessible housing and access to the supporting programs needed to thrive.

In a check presentation held recently, funds in the amount of $30,000 were given to support the implementation of the Inclusive Housing Coalition’s recommendations to prevent involuntary displacement and homelessness of adults with I/DD such the development of cognitively accessible, neuro-inclusive housing.

Saint Joseph Hospital was pleased to welcome representatives from CHFA, the Inclusive Housing Coalition, senior leaders from Intermountain Healthcare including Mikelle Moore, Senior VP & Chief Community Health Officer, and Mark Korth, Peaks Region Regional President along with many Saint Joseph caregivers.

In his remarks, Mark Korth talked about how Intermountain Healthcare is dedicated to addressing the priorities that are uncovered during the Community Health Needs Assessments process that is conducted every three years. Korth noted that Intermountain’s current priorities for its community contributions program are improving mental well-being, addressing the social determinants of health, and improving access.

Jamie Smith, Saint Joseph Hospital President, talked about how Saint Joseph’s commitment to finding affordable housing solutions and partnership with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority has existed for many years. The collaboration began with a project to redevelop Tammen Hall. In 2017, the historic building located on the Saint Joe’s campus had been vacant and boarded up for more than 10 years and they were looking for a way to repurpose this significant historic landmark in the heart of Denver. Saint Joe’s worked with many partners including CHFA on the project that addressed the lack of affordable housing for one of the most vulnerable segments of Denver residents – seniors. Today, Tammen Hall has provided 49 rental apartments for income-qualified seniors 62 years of age and older. Smith expressed his gratitude for the ongoing partnership with CHFA and the Inclusive Housing Coalition to continue this important work.

The event concluded with Mary Ann Barwick, Treasurer of the Inclusive Housing Coalition, thanking Intermountain Healthcare and Saint Joseph Hospital for their support and describing how this funding is specifically intended to address a lack of appropriate and affordable housing for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, who with support can live independently. 

Saint Joseph Hospital and Intermountain Healthcare are proud of our ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of the people we serve through our community benefit programs.