The pandemic has affected almost everyone, but many often forget about the disparate impact on the unhoused community. 

On Easter Sunday 2021, Pastor Nathan Adam of Park Hill United Methodist Church announced their efforts to team up with the non-profit Colorado Village Collaborative (CVC). Both parties gathered together to help the homeless by creating camps in the church’s parking lot to house those in need for up to six months. 

Pastor Adam emphasizes the act of kindness as “…an extension of the work that God is calling us to do, to love our neighbors. But specifically to love our most vulnerable neighbors.” There is no denying that the church’s efforts to help those in need are truly outstanding. But the reactions from Park Hill residents were appalling. 

The residents filed a lawsuit against the city, the non-profit, the church and its pastor in order to prevent the camps from being set up at the church. The complaint—filed in Denver District Court—argued that “the site poses a danger to children, does not meet city requirements and does not address the impact it will have on the neighborhood.”

Some of the comments made by residents of the neighborhood are simply uncalled for. One resident stated, “If I wanted to live in downtown Denver with homelessness in my face every day, with people sleeping on my patio or going to the bathroom on my garage, I would live downtown.” 

Similar statements have been made by other residents that betray their ignorance when it comes to unhoused individuals. These residents are too concerned with image and prestige rather than helping others. They do not want their “perfect” all-American neighborhoods to be tainted by inhabitants that do not fit their idea of wealth. 

The church is more than willing to commit to helping those in need, and they have support from many people in the community who are working alongside them. This lawsuit proves all that is wrong with how our society treats unhoused people. It will perpetuate negative views against the unhoused community. 

The church and the non-profit have responded to the residents’ concerns by not allowing people with histories of violence or sexual assault into the camps. This will ensure the safety of everyone, including children, who are the main concern of the lawsuit. 

It is obvious that the church has made a great effort to consider the overall impact to the community by working alongside a non-profit to help those in need. Instead of letting unhoused people roam the streets in search of food, shelter and water, the church would provide for them. They are giving unhoused people a safe place and setting a good example for other institutions to follow.

The set-up includes temporarily managed campsites with on-site portable sinks, showers and bathrooms. These sites are staffed 24/7 and provide a variety of resources. The campsite located in North Cap Hill was able to provide daily COVID-19 symptom screenings. Case managers were on site to help with mental health, physical health, employment and life skills. 

These camps have been successful in both providing needs for the unhoused and helping them find permanent housing. Since opening the camps, they had over 25 people complete housing applications, seven of which are currently preparing to move from the Safe Outdoor Space to long-term housing. 

The U.S. has an ongoing issue with lack of housing for those who need it. Many are unwilling to help resolve these issues and resort to stigmatizing unhoused people, as seen by the reaction from the Parkhill residents. Organizations have attempted to implement solutions, but they get push-back because of negative stereotypes against this marginalized group. It is heartless not to consider their lives and what a huge impact the camps will have on them. Luckily, the lawsuit was dismissed by the court, and the camps are set to be established on June 14.