The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), a non-profit organization in Denver, recently decided to make an investment and purchase an $8.4 million former hotel in hopes to help alleviate homelessness in the area. The newly-renovated building, now called Fusion Studios, has since become a building with 139 mini-apartments for the homeless.
Since 1985, CCH has been working to provide housing and support to the continuously increasing number of homeless people in the United States. In Denver alone, there are at least 5,755 homeless people.
When John Parvensky, President and CEO of the organization, learned that Quality Inn and Suites, a local hotel on the major road was up for sale, he grabbed the opportunity to turn it into a homeless shelter. Using funds from the city, state, and private organizations, CCH purchased the hotel, renovated the property, and renamed it to Fusion Studios.
Fusion Studios, the 17th building of its kind that CCH has established, now serves as a shelter for homeless people who are struggling to survive the city’s urban camping ban that is still being implemented despite the unconstitutional ruling of a county judge.
“The project was really born out of desperation,” said Parvensky during an interview with Colorado Springs Gazette. “We were scratching our heads trying to figure out how we can shorten the time period so that the people who are on the streets tonight have a place to call their home as quickly as possible.”
Homeless people from the city are welcome at Fusion Studios, where the monthly rent payment is just 30 percent of their income or disability benefits — typically just $100 a month. They have access to a room that is equipped with a private bathroom and kitchen with basic amenities such as a bed, a table and chairs, a cabinet, a television, a mini-refrigerator, a microwave, a food pantry, and other helpful supplies for homeless people.
This article was originally published by BlackBusiness.com.
