Housekeys Action Network Releases Survey Data of Hotel Shelters

By: Eric Strumpf

The Housekeys Action Network Denver (HAND) recently unveiled new survey data examining the state of hotel shelters in the Denver area. The report is part of ongoing efforts to examine the effectiveness of alternative sheltering models and make any improvements to better serve the homeless population. 

HAND’s survey data sheds light on the conditions of Denver’s hotel shelters, which have been used past their limit as temporary housing for homeless individuals since the start of COVID-19. The main problem that the survey addresses is the need to improve stable housing and find long-term outcomes for residents. 

From March through July 2024, HAND’s outreach team conducted surveys and interviews at Denver hotel shelter sites. One hundred seventy-five surveys and 60 interviews were conducted with the respondents, who were given $15 gift cards as compensation for their time.

The biggest takeaway from the data is that residents have a strong desire to allow guests into their homes and to improve transportation options. Additional data from the survey shows that 65.1% believe they will be housed within the 90-day time limit, while the remaining 34.9% do not believe this is enough time to find secure housing. 

Other issues found in the temporary housing include that over 30% of maintenance reports are not completed in a timely manner, and residents face problems such as trash pile-ups, dirty water from water fountains, and dead rodents on the properties. Throughout the last year, HAND received reports that their Best Western, DoubleTree, and Radisson shelters had a majority of these issues, along with problems such as black mold and a lack of access to laundry machines. 

“Resources should come faster. [They] told us we get housing, people with medical needs not getting help faster, been there 120 days and yet to talk to anyone [about] what I’m doing,” said a Best Western Resident during the HAND survey.

In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling permitting cities to enforce camping bans even without available shelter, Denver has intensified enforcement. HAND reported a 50% increase in arrests and citations related to anti-houseless ordinances from 2023 to 2024.

A significant concern highlighted in the survey data is the safety of residents at the shelter locations. In March 2024, a double homicide occurred at the DoubleTree location, leading to increased scrutiny of its safety protocols. 

According to a report by the Associated Press, the victims, Sandra Cervantes and Dustin Nunn, were found dead in a residential room at the former DoubleTree Hotel in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood. The coroner’s office listed homicide as the manner of death for both victims. 

Another resident, David Heitz, wrote about his experience visiting Fusion Studios, a homeless hotel operated by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The property details claim that units are fully furnished studios, equipped with a kitchenette, and offer a full-service food pantry for residents. 

Heitz talks about how at this location he has experienced rodents, fires, and was even assaulted by a fellow resident. He also lists other issues with the property, including an internet connection that doesn’t work and broken elevators. After constant complaints to the Colorado Coalition, he has been given nothing more than transfer tickets to different properties.

“When you put a bunch of formerly homeless people all under one roof – and don’t require substance abuse or mental health treatment – you’re going to have a lot of problems,” David Heitz told Newsbreak.

Through the survey data, you can find that the top responses when it comes to reasons for feeling unsafe are staff, drugs, abuse, and deaths on the properties. 

HAND suggests improved security as a first step to making all sites feel safer. HAND also suggests a more robust safety infrastructure that includes installing cameras, security lights, and automatic door locks. Then, to increase the number of staff who can be there for guests. 

One of the most critical resources for improving the living conditions of Denver’s unhoused is the Behavioral Health Solutions Center (BHSC). The BHSC has been serving as a vital resource for individuals who need immediate help. The center, located at 2929 W. 10th Ave., was opened in May 2021 and is operated by WellPower. WellPower is Colorado’s largest community mental health center, known locally and nationally as a model for innovative and effective behavioral health care. 

Council Resolution 25-0016, which renewed the city’s contract with It Takes a Village and added an additional $58,985, bringing the new total to $625,756, was approved with broad support. This secured the necessary funding to continue caring for individuals in crisis. The resolution passed with a 5-0 aye vote from Denver City Council Members. 

The following steps for HAND will likely include an extended analysis of expanding these services throughout Denver to create shelter models that are more effective and sustainable in the long term. The main goal of HAND is to help individuals transition from crisis care to permanent housing solutions. The future of homelessness and mental health care remains an evolving challenge, but solutions and programs are being tested to tame these challenges for the greater good of the community.