Opinion: Denver Homeless Hotel Diary: Good people live and work here, too

Fusion Studios.Photo byDavid Heitz

I almost didn’t write a Homeless Hotel Diary this week because nothing really happened at Fusion Studios, where I live. But I guess that’s the story – could things be getting better?

The screaming and fighting in the hallways by intoxicated residents has stopped for a couple of weeks now. As part of my involvement in the residents’ council, the program manager asked me to help her create signs addressing the noise issue. But for two weeks now, it hasn’t been much of an issue.

Sadly, the program manager, who also handles the housing retention (discipline) of residents, is leaving. Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, which owns my building, has asked that I not give the first and last names of employees in my stories. So, I will just say her name is Angela and she has done an outstanding job. She began as a case worker last year and has worked her way up. She will be working with single mothers in a new role at a different organization.

I could not help but think “figures,” when she informed me of her departure. The good ones never stay long. Well, some do. But turnover here is extremely high. Angela ran the food bank in the building and created a store where people could buy things such as hygiene and cleaning supplies. Residents earn store dollars by doing chores, paying their rent on time, helping others and more.

That reminds me, my neighbor across the hall, Brian, cleaned up a big mess last weekend. Nobody asked him to do it, he just did it. Someone had dumped a milkshake in the elevator. I hope he gets some store dollars for his efforts. Angela is here until Tuesday. Angela was kind, professional, and truly made things better here. Thank you, Angela, for all your great work.

Without hot water for a day

Fusion Studios did go without hot water for a day this week. That was an inconvenience, plus nothing ever was posted about it so we all just found out the hard way. Unexpected cold showers do not do much for a person’s mood. But it only was out for a day, which is not too awful. Normally we have piping hot water here with excellent pressure, too. Of all the places I ever have lived – and there have been dozens, from beach abodes to a penthouse – Fusion offers the best showers.

Even though I live in a homeless hotel now, throughout my life I have lived in some nice apartments with swimming pools and other amenities and even owned a charming home. I have been blessed time and time again.

Living here can be challenging, such as when I was assaulted July 2. It can be easy to forget there are good people here, too. There are plenty of people who are repulsed by some of the behaviors on display here. It is important that the good ones speak up when somebody is acting a fool. I frequently get called derogatory names for gay people in the hallways and elevators (so low class) and I always report it. I am 54 years old and once served as executive news editor of the famed Advocate Magazine. I do not tolerate ignorant, homophobic people. Unfortunately, there’s a of them here at Fusion. One harassed me right in front of an employee this week but the employee claimed he did not see it. He no doubt was too scared to say anything.

Addicted, mentally ill prove unpredictable

Fusion needs employees who are tough as nails. Many residents here try to intimidate others. This cannot be tolerated. People need to feel safe here. Do I feel safe here? Not really, not after the assault. Several residents here suffer from severe untreated mental illness and addiction. They are unpredictable and can act out and/or hurt someone without notice, just as I was assaulted July 2.

It is no secret that I am not a fan of “Housing First.” I believe people should be forced into addiction and/or mental health treatment if they are going to live here. It is a safety issue, plain and simple.

But for now, I have been enjoying the peace and quiet. I can’t help but think Angela made a real difference here and I worry about how things will be without her. Some residents really depended upon that food bank and the store. Even more importantly, she has a real handle on the discipline issues, at least for the past couple of weeks. I hope the Coalition replaces Angela very, very soon and finds someone as qualified as she was.