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Website Design + Development

Southeast Colorado Regional Housing Authority

The Southeast Colorado Regional Housing Authority (SECRHA) affects housing planning, financing and construction in a way that creates affordable housing opportunities in Southern Colorado’s rural communities. SECRHA exists under the umbrella of Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development (SECED), where information on SECRHA’s programs, tools, and homeownership and rental possibilities was initially – and solely – located.

Linden partnered with SECRHA to design and build a website that would function as an informational tool for those seeking housing, financial assistance and information in Southeast Colorado communities. The site would need to draw people in, showcase the area in a positive and inviting way, and guide visitors to where they needed to be based on the information or inspiration they were seeking when they arrived at the site.

Our approach to the website design and development was strategic. First we learned everything we could about SECRHA, their goals and audiences, and how the website would be used by the SECRHA team and by SECED, as well as by their audiences.

From there, we created a robust sitemap to structure the website for optimal usability. Then we began the design process.

Linden has worked with a number of organizations based in rural communities, including government entities in these areas. One thing we love about working with rural communities is that everything and everyone depends on everything and everyone else – the strength of community is a really big deal.

It was with this foundation, with Linden’s depth of value in community, that we approached the SECRHA website design.

Value in Community

For a website that’s focused on community engagement, the design needed to look and feel like a part of the community. This means a lot of things:

  • It needs to include photos of humans that feel authentic to the area and the community.
  • It needs to look and feel like the place it represents – rural Southeast Colorado.
  • It needs to offer other ways to connect for more information outside of the website.
  • It needs to be accessible in terms of user experience and ADA compliance.
  • It needs to move users fluidly through content so they may easily and confidently find what they need.

Key Vibes

At its core, the website needed to:

feel warm

approachable

professional

easy to navigate

have clear language

To achieve these requirements, we kept the overarching design clean but added dynamic movement.

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This gives the site interactive capabilities without it getting messy or feeling overwhelming.

Two smiling adults pose in a grocery store produce section. One stands wearing glasses and a light sweater, while the other, with a beard, sits in a wheelchair. Colorful vegetables and packaged greens are visible behind them.
A red metal picnic shelter with benches stands on green grass in a park. In the background, there are trees and a playground with slides and climbing equipment.
A group of people gather near a fenced rodeo arena with a Muttin Bustin Baca County Fair sign. Some prepare inside the pen, while others watch and talk outside the fence. Ranch attire and cowboy hats are visible.
A calm body of water reflects the blue sky and clouds, with rocky, tree-topped cliffs lining the distant shore under scattered white clouds.
A park with many American flags and a black POW/MIA flag on flagpoles, surrounded by leafless trees under a blue sky.
A large group of people socialize and eat together under a shaded outdoor pavilion. Some sit at picnic tables, while others stand and chat. A “Welcome” banner hangs on the wall in the background.
A small, tan brick building with large windows sits on an empty street under a colorful sunset sky with pink and purple clouds. A few trees are visible in the background.
A small white wooden house with boarded-up windows sits behind a black iron fence and stone pillar. Leafless trees are visible in the background under a clear sky.
A historic red-brick building with arched windows, a central staircase, and a small white bell tower labeled CROWLEY SCHOOL, set against a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A woman and two children smile while sitting on a vintage red Crowley County Fire Dept. truck in front of a colorful mural with mountains and a sunset.

There is photography on the site to represent every county in the region; an interactive map showcases available properties; the SECRHA brand palette was expanded to create interest and energy while maintaining its connection with SECED; and each home received a custom illustration so they would have a unique look and feel.

Seven solid color circles arranged in two rows. Top row: off-white, dark green, mustard yellow, and brown. Bottom row: deep purple, very dark green, and teal blue. The background is white.
The image shows the English alphabet in both uppercase and lowercase letters, displayed in a serif typeface with a slightly playful, quirky style. The text is dark green on a white background.
A circular line drawing of a sunflower, a winding path, hills, the sun rising, and clouds in the sky. The image is simple and uses only one color for the outlines and details.
Minimalist line art of a desert landscape with sand dunes, a crescent moon in the sky, a few clouds, and a small desert plant in the foreground.
A simple green line drawing of a landscape with a windmill, fields, hills, and a shining sun, all enclosed within a circle.
Minimalist line drawing of a sun shining over a building with an arched doorway, steps, and a tree to the right, set against a simple landscape.
Minimalist line art of a desert landscape featuring rolling sand dunes, a few small plants, a dark sun, and two stars in the sky, all inside a rounded rectangular frame.
Minimalist illustration of a sunset or sunrise over gently rolling hills with a few clouds in the sky, outlined in gold against a light background.
Screenshot of a website page showing an interactive map of property locations in Colorado counties, a menu at the top, and a highlighted section inviting users to join the Cottonwood Crossings Community.
Screenshot of a property listing for The Dune showing an exterior illustration, two interior photos, and details such as price, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,121 sq ft, and a features list with buttons for more info.

These and other thoughtful details ensure the Southeast Colorado Regional Housing Authority website feels like it was created specifically for its users, encouraging their engagement and helping them find their new home.

Screenshot of a real estate website featuring property information, nature images, and sections about their purpose, work, and different home collections. The layout uses green accents and nature-inspired visuals throughout.
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