On February 12, Erik Soliván resigned from his position as Executive Director of Denver’s Office of Housing and Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE). The Office of HOPE was created by Mayor Michael Hancock to work on “connecting individuals and families to healthy living, good paying jobs and affordable housing.” Mayor Hancock announced the creation of the office in his annual State of the City address on July 11, 2016.
Hancock announced Soliván as the director of HOPE just over one year ago, on January 9, 2017. At a press conference that day, Hancock said that HOPE, under Soliván, would “create a unified and forceful effort to help those who need a home find a home, and that means homes and support for those without them.”
Just over one year later, Soliván has announced his departure from HOPE. His decision comes amidst some restructuring of the office: Denver is currently conducting a job search for a new chief housing officer that will oversee HOPE, and the Hancock administration has merged HOPE with the city’s Office of Economic Development. In his resignation letter, Soliván expressed support for the reorganization, arguing that “it will better position the city to tackle complex issues, execute, and support initiatives in the Housing Plan to expand and preserve housing affordability.”
Even though he was only with HOPE for one year, Soliván achieved some worthy accomplishments. He told Westword that he is especially proud of launching the Lower Income Voucher Equity program, also known as LIVE Denver, which is a “2-year pilot program to match vacant rental units with working families and individuals” and to fund the difference between the units’ rental costs and what the renters can afford.
Soliván also mentioned an eviction-diversion program, a comprehensive landlord-tenant guide, and the Smart Cities initiative at 23rd and Lawrence as important accomplishments during his time at HOPE. Many of these achievements overlap with the list of 30 action items to address housing and homelessness issues that Soliván helped create while at HOPE. The 30 action items include supporting the Tiny Home village. While at HOPE, Soliván was one of the primary authors of the Denver’s five-year housing plan.
It is not yet clear who will replace Soliván as director of HOPE, or how HOPE’s work will change now that it is part of the Office of Economic Development. In an interview with Westword, Soliván was not even fully confident that the office of HOPE would continue to exist. However, he emphasized that the city’s 30 action items are “ongoing” and will not disappear.
Hancock announced Soliván as the director of HOPE just over one year ago, on January 9, 2017. At a press conference that day, Hancock said that HOPE, under Soliván, would “create a unified and forceful effort to help those who need a home find a home, and that means homes and support for those without them.”
Just over one year later, Soliván has announced his departure from HOPE. His decision comes amidst some restructuring of the office: Denver is currently conducting a job search for a new chief housing officer that will oversee HOPE, and the Hancock administration has merged HOPE with the city’s Office of Economic Development. In his resignation letter, Soliván expressed support for the reorganization, arguing that “it will better position the city to tackle complex issues, execute, and support initiatives in the Housing Plan to expand and preserve housing affordability.”
Even though he was only with HOPE for one year, Soliván achieved some worthy accomplishments. He told Westword that he is especially proud of launching the Lower Income Voucher Equity program, also known as LIVE Denver, which is a “2-year pilot program to match vacant rental units with working families and individuals” and to fund the difference between the units’ rental costs and what the renters can afford.
Soliván also mentioned an eviction-diversion program, a comprehensive landlord-tenant guide, and the Smart Cities initiative at 23rd and Lawrence as important accomplishments during his time at HOPE. Many of these achievements overlap with the list of 30 action items to address housing and homelessness issues that Soliván helped create while at HOPE. The 30 action items include supporting the Tiny Home village. While at HOPE, Soliván was one of the primary authors of the Denver’s five-year housing plan.
It is not yet clear who will replace Soliván as director of HOPE, or how HOPE’s work will change now that it is part of the Office of Economic Development. In an interview with Westword, Soliván was not even fully confident that the office of HOPE would continue to exist. However, he emphasized that the city’s 30 action items are “ongoing” and will not disappear.
RSS Feed
