Opinion: No, pallet shelters for homeless in Denver, Aurora don’t fold into caskets

he believes the goal of creating a homeless navigation campus could be achieved more inexpensively. Coombs said the purchase does nothing for helping homeless families because the center would only house individuals.

The hotel is in very good condition and boasts 255 rooms, an industrial kitchen, industrial laundry, congregate space, and space for service providers to do case management and other services, according to city staff. There are bus lines outside the hotel and Gateway Park light rail station is nearby.

Pallet shelter perks

I never have lived in a pallet shelter, but I do live in a tiny studio apartment in a former hotel owned by Colorado Coalition for the Coalition. I don’t have a problem with its small size.

Denver's pallet shelters were purchased from Pallet PBS.Photo byCity of Denver

I poked around the internet trying to find studies on people who live in small spaces. Here’s what VeryWell Mind reported:

“Assuming that the space isn’t dirty, over-run with possessions, or in disarray, one of the advantages of living in a small space is that it’s calming. Like a nest, you might very well feel cozy and comforted.”

There are other perks, too. “Without having to focus on the minutiae that comes from having many rooms in a bigger home, those embracing minimalism are happier,” VeryWell Mind reported. “With no need to spend hours cleaning up a vast residence or working an undesirable job in order to be able to pay a mortgage on an oversized space, small-home dwellers are able to be self-sustaining and still have time for hobbies and adventures.”

So no, pallet homes don’t fold into caskets. And with enough time, the proper wraparound services and a bit of compassion, people experiencing homelessness can get back on the racetrack of life while living in one, Hot