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NeighborWorks member Thistle Communities began in
1989 out of the need to create housing for disabled individuals in the Boulder, CO, community.
The organization’s first property, Sage Court, has 19 homes and serves 24 people. Since then, Thistle’s team has accomplished much — including expanding the mission to workforce rental housing, and purchasing Community Land Trust homes — but the team has not forgotten the importance of this first property and the people it serves.
During the past two years, Sage Court has been completely updated and renovated. In 2013, Thistle completed a $271,000 exterior renovation at Sage Court, replacing decks, siding and the wheelchair ramp using funding from the City of Boulder and NeighborWorks America. In 2015, thanks to a $762,500 investment from the city, the interior of the property was entirely updated, including flooring, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), windows, Energy Star appliances, plumbing and light fixtures.
Many residents expressed deep appreciation for the care taken during the transition.Paris Maglothin, a Sage Court resident who had formerly been homeless, says, “It brought us closer together as neighbors. We talked about what was happening and got to know each other. I ran errands for people who couldn’t get out.”
During the month-long renovation, Thistle and many local community members helped Sage Court residents relocate to a local hotel and manage through the transition.Thistle staff held meetings with residents to explain what to expect. Volunteer professional organizers helped residents prepare for the move. Local business Flatirons Moving and Storage helped residents pack boxes, send items to temporary storage, and move to the hotel and back. Interns from Naropa's Graduate School of Psychology provided counseling support.
Residents John and Shelley Couch felt similarly about the process. “Normally you’d have to move out on your own. We were thrilled they took care of it and paid for the entire process. We had plenty of time and started packing in March. We got organized and tossed out a lot of stuff. It was really smooth; the movers listened. We tell people all the time we’re so lucky to have Thistle as managers.”
All capital improvements were completed in October 2015 and all residents are back in their newly renovated homes at Sage Court. More than 27 years since the property was founded, it is still going strong and so is Thistle, now the largest private provider of permanently affordable homes in Boulder County.
| Sage Court residents |
The organization’s first property, Sage Court, has 19 homes and serves 24 people. Since then, Thistle’s team has accomplished much — including expanding the mission to workforce rental housing, and purchasing Community Land Trust homes — but the team has not forgotten the importance of this first property and the people it serves.
During the past two years, Sage Court has been completely updated and renovated. In 2013, Thistle completed a $271,000 exterior renovation at Sage Court, replacing decks, siding and the wheelchair ramp using funding from the City of Boulder and NeighborWorks America. In 2015, thanks to a $762,500 investment from the city, the interior of the property was entirely updated, including flooring, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), windows, Energy Star appliances, plumbing and light fixtures.
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| Sage Court apartments after rennovation |
During the month-long renovation, Thistle and many local community members helped Sage Court residents relocate to a local hotel and manage through the transition.Thistle staff held meetings with residents to explain what to expect. Volunteer professional organizers helped residents prepare for the move. Local business Flatirons Moving and Storage helped residents pack boxes, send items to temporary storage, and move to the hotel and back. Interns from Naropa's Graduate School of Psychology provided counseling support.
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| John and Shelley, residents at Sage Court |
All capital improvements were completed in October 2015 and all residents are back in their newly renovated homes at Sage Court. More than 27 years since the property was founded, it is still going strong and so is Thistle, now the largest private provider of permanently affordable homes in Boulder County.
