Jen's Story
The festive sign on the front door of Jen’s new apartment reads “HOME,” but for nearly a year, home was the cramped front seat of a Honda Accord.
Until recently, Jen, 75, was a guest at an Arvada SafeLot operated by the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative (CSPI). SafeLots provide safe, legal places for people experiencing homelessness to shelter in their vehicles overnight, as well as bathrooms, meals, health and mental health care, and help finding housing.
Previously, Jen had lived in the same studio apartment for 17 years. But when the building was sold and her rent doubled, the longtime Colorado resident couldn’t find another place she could afford on Social Security income. At age 74, she found herself homeless for the first time, alongside the other five older adults who had lived in the same building.
She found temporary housing but couldn’t afford it long term. Then she put down an $1,800 deposit on a new rental, which turned out to be a scam. With her financial resources gone, sheltering in her car seemed like the only viable option. When a former neighbor told her about safe parking, Jen joined the Arvada SafeLot.
As a person experiencing homelessness, Jen explains, “You just don’t belong anywhere.” But, she says, “Being in the SafeLot was like being home. It was wonderful because it was a community. It was a safe haven.” The SafeLot community gave Jen a safe place to sleep every night, a caring circle of support, and help applying for and obtaining housing when she had given up hope.
“[CSPI] literally saved my life,” Jen says, explaining that she was on the verge of suicide. “I had nothing — everything was in my car. I didn’t even have a place to go pee.”
Jen has a brain tumor, systemic lupus, and has lost most of her hearing; medical bills are more than $500 each month. But the retired college biology professor and high school teacher is now living in an affordable 1-bedroom apartment in a newly opened 55+ community in Westminster. Her small fourth-floor balcony has sweeping views of Long’s Peak and the Front Range.
Even though she’s no longer a SafeLot guest, Jen is still connected to her SafeLot community. A friend from the SafeLot lives just downstairs, and she gets together regularly for lunch or dinner with other guests and volunteers. SafeLot volunteers even furnished and decorated her new apartment.
“I can never thank them enough,” Jen says. “It’s hard to get used to the generosity.”
Jen is looking forward to the future. She is president of her new community’s Scrabble club, is beginning to make new friends, and is decorating her new home for the holidays.
“Home,” Jen says. “That’s a beautiful word.”
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