THE LAUNCHPAD

The Launchpad in Colorado Springs, Colorado won the 2025 Recognition of Housing Tax Credit Excellence in the Large Metropolitan Area category.

The Launchpad, developed by Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) and The PLACE, is a 50-home permanent supportive housing (PSH) development in Colorado Springs designed for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who have aged out of the foster care system. It is the first Transition-Aged Youth (TAY) development in the primary market area. The goal of The Launchpad is to provide stability, safety and training to youth to stop the cycle of homelessness and trauma before it can become a pattern. Rents for youths in this demographic at or below 30 percent of area median income (AMI) will qualify for housing at The Launchpad and receive rental subsidy through a 20-year Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract.

Supportive services provided by The PLACE related to education, employment and mental health will be offered onsite. The building design, created in partnership with Shopworks Architecture, prioritizes comfort and safety for potentially traumatized residents, including strategic use of lighting and the avoidance of blind spots in hallways.

The development represents the efforts of Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG), The PLACE, Merchants Capital, and Colorado DOLA to preserve, improve, and increase affordable housing opportunities in Colorado Springs, Colorado.