History

Thistle was created in 1989 to meet the need for affordable and accessible rental housing. Thistle’s first endeavor was to design Sage Court for people with disabilities. It continues to serve 19 households. Thistle became a land developer in 1993. In 1996 homeowners purchased their first Community Land Trust ownership homes. Thistle expanded into Longmont in 1997, and to Adams County in 2002. Over the last six years, Thistle has grown from 140 to over 1,000 permanently affordable homes. Thistle now serves over 3,000 people per year. All Thistle residents pay a sustainable portion of their income for housing.

Mission

Thistle Community Housing is committed to end the growing displacement of residents who can no longer afford to live here – working families, single parents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Thistle acquires, develops, renovates, and manages quality, affordable rental and homeownership opportunities, serving people in Boulder and Adams Counties.

“We have employees unable to live in the community they work in. School teachers should be in the community.” Don Orr, Planning Director Boulder Valley School District

Goals

Thistle is committed to acquiring and developing homes that meet the escalating need for affordable housing while enhancing the surrounding neighborhoods.

Similar to organizations that preserve land for open space, Thistle preserves housing so it will be permanently affordable for qualified working families, single parents and people with disabilities, now and for future generations.

In 2008 Thistle will:

• Provide quality, sustainable homes to 1,028 households, over 3,000 individuals.

• Manage the current portfolio of 784 permanently affordable rentals and over 220 Community Land Trust ownership homes; and

• Continue to construct Built Green, award-winning homes at Blue Vista in Longmont.

• Respond to over 4,000 requests for information or services.

• Provide homeowner education and outreach programs to over 1,000 people in cooperation with local government and community partners.

• Provide effective leadership in policy matters affecting housing

• Incorporate Green Building, Smart Growth and Energy-Efficiency into Thistle’s new and existing homes to make them environmentally and economically sustainable.