New Housing Program Launches in Denver to Support Homeless College Students
- Depaul USA launched Denver's first student residence for college students experiencing or at risk of homelessness on September 24, 2026.
- The newly opened Denver house is part of a national network operated by Depaul USA, a nonprofit that provides resources to people experiencing homelessness.
- The Denver Dax residence has partnered with Metropolitan State University of Denver and Regis University, though organizers intend to expand services to other local colleges and universities in...
Depaul USA launched Denver’s first student residence for college students experiencing or at risk of homelessness on September 24, 2026. Located near the Capitol building in an 1890s brick building in North Capitol Hill, the new 15-bed facility aims to give vulnerable students a safe living space so they can focus on earning a degree without worrying about housing.
Denver Dax Residence Expands National Housing Program
The newly opened Denver house is part of a national network operated by Depaul USA, a nonprofit that provides resources to people experiencing homelessness. The organization runs 11 Dax student housing programs across Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York. Since launching in 2015, the national program has housed 494 students. According to a news release from Depaul USA, the Denver building will expand the program’s reach to serve about 110 students annually. The nonprofit reports that approximately 95 percent of residents find permanent housing after participating in the program, while about 84 percent remain in school or graduate. To secure a spot in the house, students must maintain good academic standing, work a minimum of 10 hours per week, and pay a reduced-cost monthly rent. Residents also receive access to onsite food pantries, financial literacy workshops, employment assistance, and physical and behavioral health referrals, alongside community activities like movie nights and Sunday dinners. “Our program is really designed to transition students towards independence,” said Serita Reels, Depaul USA’s national Dax Program director.
Partnerships With Local Universities and Colleges
The Denver Dax residence has partnered with Metropolitan State University of Denver and Regis University, though organizers intend to expand services to other local colleges and universities in the area. Higher education institutions in Colorado and nationwide face significant student housing instability. According to a 2023-24 report from The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, a survey of 74,350 students across 91 colleges in 16 states found that about half of students experience housing insecurity, and roughly 14 percent are homeless. Abbie Kell, associate director of basic needs and housing support at MSU Denver, stated that her office assists 80 to 90 students annually who experience homelessness. Erica Ingalls, dean of students at Regis University, noted that her school provides aid to four to six students each year who lack a place to live. Both campuses provide resource lists that include help applying for federal food aid, access to food pantries, and housing assistance. Regis offers two weeks of residence hall housing for homeless students, while MSU Denver provides emergency housing assistance. However, campus officials note that some students do not qualify for those resources, or the aid expires before students can stabilize their living situations. Many students also avoid traditional community shelters, choosing instead to live out of their cars, according to Kell.
Personal Impact and Student Experiences
The program’s supportive environment is modeled after successful residences elsewhere, such as Cecilia house in Chicago. Nikya Harrell, a 24-year-old student who utilized Dax Program housing in Chicago before moving into her own apartment, traveled to Denver for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. During her first semester at Chicago’s Malcolm X College, Harrell faced severe housing instability, staying with various family members and occasionally affording only one meal a week. After a therapist connected her with the Dax Program, Harrell secured her own living space, which she decorated with posters and daily affirmations.
“You’re never alone.”
Nikya Harrell Harrell is now on track to graduate from DePaul University in 2029 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Ahead of the Denver opening, MSU Denver helped a student move into the new Dax building through an interview process designed to respect the student’s circumstances and preferences.