Opinion: Denver homeless hotel diary: The good, the bad and the ugly

Renaissance West End Flats is another Colorado Coalition for the Homeless property that I plan to look at next week.Photo byColorado Coalition for the Homeless

Whenever I author an article about the goings-on at Fusion Studios, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless property where I live, the reports do very well. Readers are thirsty for information about the way former people experiencing homelessness live.

And for good reason. Hundreds of millions in dollars have been spent on Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s plan to house 2,000 people experiencing homelessness over two years. Taxpayers reasonably want to know whether moving people into hotels solves problems or creates new ones. I would say both are correct.

I have written about the mice, bed bugs and roaches. Two weeks ago, I explained how I was assaulted with a lead pipe while waiting for the elevator. I have written about a resident who would not use a toilet, a neighbor who blasted his music at all hours and many others who seem to delight in banging on the walls.

Everything here gets tore up. The man who assaulted me took out half the light fixtures on the third floor as well as the chandelier in lobby with his pipe. Other residents regularly kick in doors. Addicts plead outside drug dealers’ doors to please open up. Others go to the rear of the building and call out to residents they know, wanting to be let in.

Alcoholics disturb the peace

Alcoholism is rampant at Fusion, especially on the third floor where I live. Certain people do not handle their alcohol well and act a fool at all hours of the day and night. Their mouths are filthy. They destroy things. People routinely throw punches in the hallway.

Most of the time, only one elevator works. Sometimes it does not work either.

The stairwells smell like rodents. The other day when I had to use them, I noticed several articles of clothing had been discarded in the stairwells.

Today there was a big bag of clothes lying in the hallway from the Denver jail. The picture of the person arrested still was on the bag.

About two weeks ago, we had a fire at Fusion. The Denver Fire Department said it was caused by a "wiring malfunction."

So many people have overdosed at Fusion staff held a memorial service last year for the fallen neighbors.

‘Got a cigarette?'

As I write this, someone is burning up my room phone. Whomever it is will want money, food, cannabis, a cigarette (I do not smoke but get asked 300 times per day for cigarettes), some shampoo, some coffee filters, coffee, etc.

The mooching here is acute. And most of the people who mooch do not work and never have. They will “fly a sign” and panhandle. Many consider that their full-time job.

So, beginning next week, I am going to feature a “Homeless Hotel diary” report once per week. The article will explain what happened at Fusion over the course of a week – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Fusion Studios recently added furniture to its lobby. The furniture became infested with bugs and was removed for a while, but it's back nowPhoto byDavid Heitz

If you follow me on X, you know that the internet here is not reliable. It has been terrible this week. I go into a rage when the internet goes out. It is my bread and butter. It is also something to do and I enjoy writing articles. When the internet goes out, I am restless and angry. This has been a bad week for that.

Neighbor gets back on track

I want to mention my neighbor across the hall. He told me about an internet deal he has. My neighbor across the hall is quiet, polite, and helpful. He told me he quit drinking. I have seen an improvement in his demeanor since he moved in. He is one that makes you feel good help is available for people experiencing homelessness. My next-door neighbor also is quiet and keeps a clean apartment. She is very personable, but she gets disgusted with this place, too.

There are other people here who do not smoke or use drugs. Not many. Most of the straightlaced ones are appalled when they get here and ask to move.

Time for a change?

I would kind of like to move, too. Because of the type of voucher I have, my options are limited. I have heard good things about Renaissance West End flats, another Coalition property. What makes if different from Fusion is that the project houses a mix of incomes. It’s not 140 poverty-stricken people from homeless encampment all in one place, like Fusion.

I am on a permanent supportive housing voucher. That means I can live here and pay 30% of my income for rent for the rest of my life if I choose. I am considered disabled (not federally, I don’t receive a check) because of my mental illness. I enjoy wraparound services at Fusion such as rooms visits from doctors, nurses and therapists. As I always have said about the Coalition, the health care is first-rate.

Three cheers for maintenace

I also want to mention that the maintenance staff does an outstanding job of keeping the place as clean as humanly possible. Somtimes the elvators are full of urine. The custodians here deserve medals.

I also will admit that I enjoy being babied. Or maybe a better way to say it is, it feels good that someone cares about me. I enjoy the room visits and the therapy walks.

I have been known to send very direct emails to Coalition officials when I have a concern. I do not hesitate to send CEO Britta Fisher emails, and I often emailed her predecessor before that. John Parvensky was very accessible and responsive.

Gratitude beyond words

I am incredibly grateful for my housing. I don’t make quite enough to pay market rate rent and I do not know what I would do without Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. My reports on what it’s like to live in a homeless hotel, of which now there are several in Denver, is simply intended to improve the quality of life for the residents.

When you come inside, it shouldn’t become what you see on the street but inside. Unfortunately, some people live that way. That is why we have a major rodent infestation at Fusion.

I wish Fusion would better screen tenants and keep out those who are not ready for indoor living. They are better suited to tiny home communities.

Next week, my case manager and I are going to go look at Renaissance at West End Flats. If I like it and there is an opening, perhaps I will move there. It does sort of feel like it’s time for a change of scenery. I’ll keep you posted.