Thistle Community Housing

Street Address:
1845 Folsom Street
Boulder, CO 80302


Phone: 303-443-0007
Fax: 303-443-0098
Website: www.thistlecommunities.org

Mary Roosevelt, Chief Executive Officer

Contact Name: Mary Roosevelt
Phone: 303-443-0007x113
Fax:
Email: mroosevelt@thistlecommunities.org


Staff Size: Full Time: 38    Part Time: 2

Background
A charitable non-profit, Thistle was created in 1989 to meet the need for affordable and accessible rental housing, serving twenty-four people with disabilities. Thistle expanded its mission to provide workforce rental housing, then became a developer in 1993. In 1996 homeowners purchased their first Community Land Trust homes. Thistle is now the largest private provider of permanently affordable homes in Boulder and Adams Counties. Thistle has created over 1,000 affordable homes, providing quality housing for over 3,000 residents and responding to over 4,000 requests for information and services annually with 785 rentals and 234 ownership homes. Thistle's Community Land Trust Home Ownership Program is one of the largest in the country. Thistle is governed by an all-volunteer board of community members who are knowledgeable about affordable housing development, financing and community needs.

Mission
The Mission of Thistle Communities is to create and preserve quality, permanently-affordable rental and ownership homes for working families, seniors and people with disabilities. Thistle’s 1,000 homes allow teachers, health-care workers, and others who are the backbone of our economy to live in the communities they serve

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $7,293,284

 Lines of Business
  • Asset and Property Management

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Multifamily Initiative

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 22 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 89 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 0 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 789 rental units.
  • Invested $ in the community through Thistle Community Housing's revolving loan fund, which leveraged $2,182,577 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $2,182,577.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    6/4/2009 Please access our annual report at www.thistlecommunities.org for additional information.

    Community Services
  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Counseling

  •  IDA Savings Program

  •  Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Energy Conservation Programs

  •  Environmental Friendly Building Materials

  •  Indoor Environment Quality

  •  Renewable Energy Resources

  •  Sustainable Site Planning

  •  Water Quality and Conservation

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Housing for Handicapped

  •  Rental Housing

  •  Section 8 Housing

  •  Transitional Housing for Homeless Families


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Dolores AndradeBoard MemberResidentSafehouse Progressive Alliance for NonviolenceBilingual Family Advocate
    Joe BallestrasseBoard PresidentFinancial InstitutionFirst National Bank of Colorado 
    Richard HarrisBoard SecretaryOther  
    Ben JensenBoard MemberResident  
    Jerry LeeBoard Vice PresidentLocal GovernmentBoulder Urban Renewal AuthorityCommissioner
    Frederic MarienthalBoard MemberOtherKutac Rock 
    Michael MartinezBoard MemberFinancial Institution  
    Derrick RobinsonBoard TreasurerBusiness  
    Patricia SternerBoard MemberBusinessJFB & Associates 
    Gloria WeissmanBoard MemberResident  

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

    NeighborWorks ® America Contact Information
    District:  Rocky Mountain
    Name:  Josie Martinez-Littig
    Phone:  303-782-4805
    Toll-Free:  
    Fax:  303-782-5568
    Email:  jlittig@nw.org