Affordable Workforce Housing for Families in Rural Colorado
Sterling, Colorado, known as the Queen City of the Plains, is located just over 100 miles northeast of Denver along I-76. As the county seat and largest municipality in Logan County, Sterling has a diverse economy supported by employers in agriculture, renewable energy, government, education, healthcare, and retail. The community’s aging housing stock, however, with a median year built of 1958, limits its ability to attract and retain a stable workforce. Sugar Commons will be a catalytic investment that revitalizes the local housing market by providing high-quality, stable, and accessible homes for working families, strengthening the broader economy.
Sugar Commons will provide a 54 units of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units ranging in affordability from 30-70% AMI.
Design features
- On-site property management offices
- Indoor/outdoor gathering spaces including a south-facing family-oriented courtyard w/ play areas and community room w/ additional amenities
- Pet amenities
- Fitness Room
- Controlled building access
Sustainable Design
- Seeking NGBS Silver
- Prairie Express bus route provides access to public transportation directly adjacent to site & regional transportation provided through Bustang
- Within 1/2 mile of grocery store, shopping, library, museum, restaurants, bank, parks, childcare and police/fire services
- Within 1 mile of school, medical facilities and social service organizations
- (6) EV ready parking spaces, future electrification, energy efficient systems/appliances
- Solar garden program
Project Information
- Client: Völker
- Site Area: 91,575 S.F. / 2.10 AC
- Density: 54 units – 25.7 DUA
- Completion: Est. 2027
Workforce Housing
We have deep experience designing affordable workforce housing that supports economic diversity and community resilience. Our projects serve essential workers—like teachers, healthcare staff, and service employees—who are often priced out of the communities they serve.
VMWP’s approach emphasizes walkability, sustainability, and placemaking, with developments that include both new construction and adaptive reuse. Our newest teacher housing project is The Acacia at 231 Grant that provides 100 units for educators in Palo Alto, California.