Resident’s Bold Plan: Buy Denver Stay Inn for $10 to Create Housing for Disabled Homeless

Denver has at least one interested party for its $10 homeless hotel for sale, a former Stay Inn, after a woman expressed a desire to buy it during Monday’s City Council meeting.

During public comment period, Paula Rhoads said she is interested in buying the hotel. It would be modeled after Valor on the Fax, a housing development for people experiencing homelessness with brain injuries, she said.

The city purchased and renovated the Stay Inn property but has been unable to open a homeless hotel at the site, according to city staff. Staff said the building required unexpected upgrades. The city put the hotel on the market for just $10, with the stipulation it be developed by the buyer for homeless housing, according to staff.

Rhoads said Valor on the Fax has a waiting list of 100 people, so “I was excited to see the offer to sell Stay Inn at 38th and Peoria for $10. I have $10 right here and I do have partners I think that are interested. We believe we can get state housing money to do what you’re talking about. I’ve been to your planning department to find out what’s wrong with (the hotel) so we can get our ducks in a row.”

Rhoads said she believes that some people experiencing homelessness may have sustained brain injuries while working in the construction industry. She envisions rehabilitating them and giving them jobs printing 3D concrete homes, she said. She admitted her plan sounds a little farfetched.

Rhoads said a year ago she gave a dollar coin to Johnston. She asked him to screen the homeless living in the city hotels and if more than 30% prove disabled, “give us a building. So, I’m going to get a building for $1 or $10 but we do have a group here who is interested if you’ll take us seriously.”

The council does not respond to remarks made during public comment period to maximize time for speakers.