Investing in Rural Communities Where Housing Is Needed Most
Meadow Vista Apartments in Brush, Colorado represents a major step forward in addressing the housing challenges facing rural communities across Northeast Colorado. Located in Morgan County, a region long supported by a strong agribusiness economy, the community has experienced decades of limited housing investment despite growing demand from local employers and families. For many years, workers were forced to commute long distances from neighboring communities such as Greeley because quality housing options in Brush were either unavailable or unaffordable.
Meadow Vista Apartments was developed to help close this gap by bringing high-quality, attainable housing to a rural community that had not seen a new affordable family housing development in over 30 years. The 45-unit community includes a mix of one- and two bedroom apartments serving households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income—providing the first housing in the region to include units affordable at both 30% and 50% AMI levels. The development has been met with overwhelming demand and reached full occupancy quickly, demonstrating the significant unmet housing need that exists in rural Colorado communities.
Delivering new housing in rural communities presents unique challenges that often prevent projects from moving forward. Lower local incomes, limited public funding sources, higher construction costs, and a smaller subcontractor base can make rural development particularly difficult. Meadow Vista Apartments overcame these barriers through strong partnerships with the Housing Authority of the City of Brush, the City of Brush, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, and other public and private partners committed to expanding housing opportunities in Northeast Colorado. Financing included 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits with permanent financing supported through Freddie Mac’s Duty to Serve program, as well as critical state and local funding sources that helped bridge the gap often present in rural housing developments.
Building Community in Rural Colorado
Beyond providing housing, Meadow Vista Apartments was designed to create a welcoming and healthy living environment for residents. The community includes shared gathering spaces, walking paths, outdoor recreation areas, and a playground, with plans for a community garden to further strengthen neighborhood connections. Visiting service providers and community partners also play an important role in supporting residents’ well-being and long-term stability.
The project also highlights the resilience required to build housing in rural areas. Construction began in May 2023 and faced significant weather challenges, including more than 20 days of rain delays, yet the development was still delivered on schedule and successfully welcomed its first residents in 2024.
Meadow Vista Apartments reflects the organization’s commitment to bringing high-quality housing to communities that are often overlooked by traditional development. By investing in rural places like Brush, the project demonstrates how thoughtful partnerships and persistent effort can help rural communities grow, support local employers, and provide families with a place to call home.
