The Valley Housing Fund has reached an important milestone for a future housing project just north of Gunnison.
In May 2026, VHF finalized the sale of the Wilson parcel to Archway Communities, a Colorado nonprofit and affordable housing developer. The project aims to create 40 to 75 new affordable rental homes, with the final unit count dependent on costs and site considerations.
The partnership is the culmination of years of planning, collaboration, and community conversations, and we’re excited to share the next steps with you today.
How This Property Came Together
The Valley Housing Fund purchased the 3.5-acre parcel of land in June 2022 and led preliminary outreach in the existing neighborhood before identifying Archway as the right development partner.
Located just north of Gunnison’s city limits along Highway 135, the site offers access to many of the places people rely on every day. Residents can walk or bike to downtown Gunnison, the hospital, grocery stores, and Western Colorado University. The nearby RTA bus route also connects the future neighborhood to the north and south ends of the valley.
As we began exploring what could be built there, we invited neighbors, housing officials, and local builders to visit the site and share ideas about what a successful neighborhood might look like.
A Community-Led Vision
Community members shared a vision for a neighborhood that would feel like a natural extension of Gunnison. Ideas that emerged from those conversations included:
- Housing that supports a mix of residents and income levels
- A neighborhood that is safe, welcoming, and connected to the surrounding community
- Walkable and bike-friendly access to everyday destinations
- Thoughtful design that reflects the character of the valley
- Shared spaces such as gardens, gathering areas, or small parks
These conversations helped shape the project’s direction and reinforced the importance of finding the right development partner to bring this vision to life.
Bringing the Right Team to the Table
As those discussions continued, it became clear that turning the vacant land into housing would require an experienced development partner. That search eventually led us to Archway Communities, a Colorado nonprofit that shares our mission and has spent decades building and managing affordable housing across the state.
Reflecting on the decision, Valley Housing Fund Board President John O’Neal said the organization’s experience stood out early in the process.
We’re incredibly excited about the sale of the Wilson parcel to Archway Communities. From the moment we began discussing the potential for this site, Archway was our first choice to move this vision forward. Their organization has extensive experience building high-quality affordable housing in Colorado, and they share our belief that stable housing is essential to building strong, healthy communities.
Why This Project Matters
The development envisions a mix of thoughtfully designed rental homes focused on the “missing middle” – local workers who earn too much to qualify for traditional subsidized housing but can’t afford market-rate rents.
Like many rural mountain communities across Colorado, Gunnison is experiencing a growing gap between wages and housing costs. That gap makes it increasingly difficult for teachers, healthcare professionals, and trades and service workers to find stable housing. This neighborhood aims to provide attainable, year-round housing options that support a stable workforce and strengthen the long-term vitality of the Gunnison Valley.
For Archway, the project is also a chance to bring its mission to a new corner of the state.
We understand the need for affordable housing in Colorado and are committed to creating safe and supportive communities for residents across our state. We are excited to expand our portfolio into the Gunnison Valley and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Valley Housing Fund on this project. We look forward to building relationships with residents and partners to move this important housing project forward.
What Comes Next
Housing developments take time, and this project is still in the early stages. Now that Archway Communities has acquired the property, the next phase will focus on planning, design, and working with the City of Gunnison on infrastructure and annexation.
The site already has a sewer line in place, and the Valley Housing Fund previously secured a Technical Assistance grant from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to support early concept planning and financial modeling for the project.
While there are still many steps ahead, the development team anticipates construction could begin around 2028.
Building Partnerships to Create More Housing
One of the VHF’s core roles is facilitation: connecting the right people at the right time to move housing projects forward. Acquiring the Wilson parcel, engaging with community members, and ultimately identifying a mission-aligned development partner reflects exactly that work.
This partnership reflects what we do best at the Valley Housing Fund — bringing the right people to the table to create more housing opportunities in the Gunnison Valley. I look forward to the day we can welcome new neighbors to this part of town.