Lakewood motel bought to help homeless and veterans
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — A motel in Lakewood has been converted into a shelter for the unhoused in Jefferson County.
Officials call it “bridge housing.” It’s a way to get people immediately off the streets and working towards a permanent solution.
There was speculation in the community that the location off of Colfax and Colorado Mills Parkway was going to be used for migrants, but staff said that was a misnomer. This shelter is for people who are coming from the Recovery Works navigation center through referrals.
The Mountain View Inn motel has 34 rooms, 10 of them have kitchenettes and one room is for the on-site supervisor.
Denver property owners asked to rent to migrants
The goal is to prioritize the elderly, disabled and veterans who are unhoused.
People are expected to stay three to six months, but there is no time limit.
Different support services are available on-site, including housekeeping, physical and mental health resources, laundry and more.
“That gives us a much better ability to work on their permanent housing placement. When someone is on the street, they’re getting pushed around. They’re just in survival mode. It’s very difficult to get them into housing, so this gives us a running start,” said James Ginsburg with Recovery Works.
Recovery Works purchased the hotel in mid-January and since then, it has been ready for move-ins. Almost all the rooms are spoken for already.
The location of the motel is also important for those recovering and helps them stay out of the crowd that could potentially influence bad habits.
“It’s in a good location. We’re close to services, but we’re not right on the main sort of Colfax drag where our vulnerable guests maybe would be subjected to victimization,” said Ginsburg.
“The first week I was really unsettled. You know, I like it. It’s too far from what I know because I’m from down there. But really, it’s good for me to be out here away from what I know,” said Lucille Munoz, a resident. “All it is, is drama, chaos, drugs, drinking, gang activity and I’m getting older, I want something different.”
Staff said there are cameras around the property to help with safety and security, as well as rules about no overnight guests in partnership with Lakewood police.
Auon’tai Anderson ordered to pay $61K in legal fees for defamation lawsuit
Ginsburg said the goal is to prevent an issue and be proactive about safety instead of reactionary.
A resident shares her story
One resident has dealt with a lot of trauma in her life. It started when she was 10 years old and allegedly molested by her stepdad. Then, she began using meth and was out on the street for quite some time before a brain cancer diagnosis.
She found Recovery Works, and because she has this housing help, she now has the means to buy a few necessities and other items that give her a sense of pride and confidence.
“I feel valuable before I felt belittled always asking for stuff, like hand-me-downs and stuff like that. I got new clothes,” Muniz said. “It feels good because I get to be in here and nobody is going to take my stuff. I didn’t like that.”
Additionally, staff said one veteran is already moving out and moving up to permanent housing after working with staff to get a housing voucher.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.