WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE: CVS) today announced it will invest $6.5 million with Boston Financial Investment
Management to build a 36-unit permanent supportive housing
community, known as Charity's House Place, for individuals
experiencing homelessness and people with physical, intellectual,
and/or developmental disabilities in the Five Points neighborhood
in Denver. The investment is part of CVS Health's commitment
to advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of
health in underserved communities.
"Our commitment to advancing health equity is grounded in our
company purpose to bring our heart to every moment of health," said
David Casey, Senior Vice President
and Chief Diversity Officer, CVS Health. "By addressing social
determinants of health at the community level, like we are in
Denver, we're helping people live
healthier and creating positive change all around them."
According to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition's
2020 report, Denver ranked second
as the most intensely gentrified cities. Five Points, a designated
cultural historic district, in recognition of its important role in
African-American history is one of the neighborhoods most
impacted. In addition, per the Metro Denver Homeless
Initiative's 2021 Point in Time Count, Black and African American
individuals make up just over 5% of Metro Denver's population, but
represent more than 26% of people experiencing homelessness.
Charity's House Place will help preserve affordable housing in the
Five Points neighborhood while providing residents with the
resources they need to maintain stable housing and live healthier
lives.
"It takes a whole community response, across sectors, to resolve
homelessness and support our most vulnerable residents. That starts
with the stability of safe, supportive housing," said Denver Mayor Michael
B. Hancock. "I want to thank CVS Health for making this
critical investment in our community that will further bolster my
Administration's work by advancing equity and connecting our
unhoused residents with the housing they need to thrive."
CVS Health is working with BlueLine Development, Inc. and
Community Outreach Service Center, Inc. (COSC) to co-develop
Charity's House Place. Led by Pastor Robert
Woolfolk and his wife Eddie of Agape Christian Church, COSC
has been deeply rooted in the Denver community for more than 20 years,
helping people impacted by the justice system with transitional
housing and counseling with the goal to ultimately have the ability
to provide permanent supportive homes.
Through funding from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs,
the Colorado Finance Agency and the City
of Denver combined with CVS Health's investment, Charity's
House Place will be the realization of that goal. COSC will be
providing residents with supportive goods and services, including
food, clothing, employment support, spiritual counseling, and
computer classes.
Charity's House Place will consist of a four-story residential
building located at 3022 Welton Street in Denver. It will provide residents with a
community room, fitness facility, on-site property management,
central laundry facilities and outdoor decks. In addition to COSC
services, the Mental Health Center of Denver will provide residents with an array of
mental health, substance abuse and integrated health services.
"CVS Health is committed to providing underserved communities in
Denver with opportunities that can
help them live healthier lives," said Jim
Boyman, North Central Territory President and Heartland
Market President, Aetna, a CVS Health company. "Through Charity's
House, we're addressing housing insecurities and ensuring local
residents have access to resources that can improve their overall
health and well-being."
CVS Health is also exploring opportunities to expand its
national workforce initiatives program in Colorado to help break the cycle of poverty by
providing employment services and training to the community.
As part of CVS Health's overall commitment to advance health
equity in America, it invested $185
million in affordable housing nationwide in 2021 and
$1.3 billion over the past 20 years.
Through these investments, CVS Health has been able to provide
underserved communities with quality housing, economic support,
educational training opportunities and other health and wellness
programs and services based on the unique needs of the
population.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is the leading health
solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach
more people and improve the health of communities across America
through our local presence, digital channels and approximately
300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000
physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever
and whenever people need us, we help them with their health –
whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with
their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness
services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the
health care system – and their personal health care – by improving
access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every
meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and
every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com.
Media contact
Eva
Pereira
781-686-4200
PereiraE1@cvshealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health