Denver’s Department of Housing Stability celebrated the opening of a new affordable housing apartment complex, the Atlantis Apartments, on Tuesday afternoon.

The Atlantis Apartments offer 60 income-restricted units in the Baker neighborhood at 201 S. Cherokee St.

The apartments are largely targeted to individuals with disabilities, developed by the disability services and support organization Atlantis Community, Inc.

“To have a residential facility like this is a game-changer,” said Lloyd Lewis, chairman of board of directors at ACI. “This new facility will help so many people.”

The four-story apartment complex has 36 one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units.

About 10% of the units are disability accessible while the rest are adaptable, requiring small adjustments such as the removal of cabinets and installation of shower benches to be made fully accessible.

ACI’s center for independent living offices will be on the building’s first floor. The office will help apartment residents and others community members access social security, food assistance, Medicaid, employment and transportation.

“People with disabilities thrive when they are given the opportunity to experience independence and self-reliance and are supported by a community that truly cares,” Lewis said.

Households must earn 60% of the area median income or less to qualify for the apartments, up to $42,000 for a single-person household.

In addition to apartments, the building has a Disability History Museum, community conference room and office space on the ground floor.

Other amenities include laundry facilities on each floor, a technology center, an exercise room, a repair room for wheelchairs or bicycles and sensory elements/way-finding cues in common areas.

“This building represents a well of opportunity,” Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera said. “Opportunity for affordable housing in an incredible location, housing that is pre-engineered for accessibility, something that was unheard of 45 years ago.”

“This is an opportunity for people with and without disability, as well as from various income levels, to be integrated.”

Of the 60 units, 12 are leased and 22 have recently approved applications. ACI expects full occupancy of all units by Oct. 30.

Though ACI has four other apartment buildings, this is the organization’s first new construction.

Another ACI apartment complex will be constructed across from the new building as phase two of the project.

The 84-unit complex will begin construction in early 2021. HOST has provided more than $2 million to phase two of the project.

“There’s an incredible need to help house special populations,” said Britta Fisher, executive director of HOST. “It’s exciting to be here connecting Atlantis residents to employment opportunities, education, shopping and amenities.”

More than 80% of housing vouchers from the Colorado Division of Housing serve people with disabilities, according to DOH Executive Director Rick Garcia.

Garcia said ACI works closely with DOH, administering 350 DOH housing vouchers, 200 of which helped people move out of institutions into independent living centers.

The Atlantis Apartments are the latest Denver development in affordable housing. There are currently 1,593 city-sponsored affordable housing units under construction at 21 sites throughout Denver. Another 1,087 units are expected to start construction in the next year.

The $18.1 million project received a $600,000 grant from DOH and $800,000 from HOST.

The project also received funding from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Wells Fargo and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.