Royer House

The revitalization of Denver didn’t stop with just one building—it sparked a wave of improvements across the neighborhood. Many business owners and homeowners stepped up to enhance their properties, including the remarkable conversion of an empty bank into the Unruh Insurance Agency.

Now, by acquiring the historic Royer House, REAL Life Community Services is proud to carry this momentum forward. We’re transforming the third floor into two affordable studio apartments—perfectly sized for individuals and families struggling to find a place they can call home.

During the challenges of the global pandemic, the building adjacent to the Declaration House—the former Royer Furniture store—became available for purchase. Recognizing the urgent need for affordable housing and the importance of preserving this property for the community, we acted quickly.

The building already included two one-bedroom apartments on the first floor and a three-bedroom apartment upstairs, but the third floor had never been developed. We turned that unused space into two new studio apartments to help address the growing housing shortage in northern Lancaster County—a crisis made even more urgent by COVID-19.

Today, over 30 local families are living in hotels due to a severe lack of affordable rental options. Working hand-in-hand with area businesses and foundations, REAL Life Community Services is expanding the number of affordable apartments to ensure more community members have a safe, stable place to live.

The Royer House studios specifically serve low-income residents displaced by recent housing losses, reflecting our commitment to keeping Denver’s revitalization inclusive and sustainable.