Communique’Serving the SMHO Residents of Alyson Court, Amity Plaza, and Bradley House February 2021

Enriching Lives Through Affordable Housing Options

South Metro Housing Options is celebrating 50 years of service this year! The nonprofit started conducing business in 1971 as the Littleton Housing Authority, and is the second oldest in the state of Colorado. Much has changed over the past five decades, but one thing remains the same... the need for affordable homes in Littleton. Join us in celebrating this great milestone all year long.

New Homeownership Opportunities AheadAs you may already know, South Metro Housing Options is undergoing a change that will bring affordable homeownership opportunities to Littleton. A portion of their public housing portfolio will be updated and sold to public buyers earning up to 80% of the area median income.

SMHO is partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, who will be handling the rehab work, and the sale and mortgage process. “In our 41 years of existence, we had never built or renovated a single home in Littleton,” shares Kate Hilberg, Director of Real Estate for Habitat. “Many Littleton residents are long-time Habitat supporters who like to volunteer with us. I think they’ll be excited to see us making a difference right here in their community.”

SMHO is also partnering with a company called B-Konnected (BK) to provide every current resident living

in an affected home all the support they need for a smooth transition to another great home in Littleton, Colorado, or anywhere in the United States they’d like to go.

BK will be supporting SMHO tenants through the entire process of securing new housing, which includes: ● Voucher Briefings ● Housing Search Navigators ● HUD Compliance Inspections ● Securing Sustainable Housing ● Eviction Prevention, and more

BK is already working with SMHO residents to identify their housing preferences and next steps. Learn more at bkonnected.org or call (720) 551-7094.

To learn more about the homeownership program, please visit www.HabitatMetroDenver.org/littleton, and see the insert in this month’s newsletter.

Bemis Library ReOpens

Celebrating 50 Years of Service

Bemis Library in Littleton reopened to the public on Monday, January 25, allowing 35 people at a time and computer use permitted for one hour per person, per day.

Library Hours:Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Saturday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Closed Sundays and holidays

Sources: The Washington Post and WikiHow

South Metro Housing Options2

Keeping SMHO Residents InformedCommunique’

There are many benefits to living in an apartment community. It can save you from a lot of headaches and high costs of owning a house, and there are endless opportunities to interact with your neighbors. But it can also have many challenges as everything comes with responsibilities. An apartment lifestyle requires certain etiquette and considerations, and is a place where a little courtesy goes a long way.

New York-based etiquette expert and speaker Thomas Farley (better known as Mister Manners) reported in the Washington Post that people should have a reasonable baseline for life in an apartment complex. “Sound is the number one issue in most shared complexes,” he said.

People living in an apartment complex should expect noise. But the noise issue is also a give-and-take, he says. To self-test your own noise level, Farley recommends turning on your TV or music, and going into your hallway and closing your door. If you can hear it, it’s too loud.

Being a good neighbor has many benefits for you, your neighbors, and the entire community. Let’s look at some helpful tips for living your best apartment life and enjoying all it has to offer. And so that you can live in harmony with your neighbors - or at least as close as possible.

Be Friendly – This is the number one thing you can do to make the best of apartment life. You don’t necessarily need to know your neighbors, but a simple hello or greeting goes a long way. Creating friendly relationships also makes it easier to interact in the future if anyone has questions or concerns. Get to know the property management and staff as well. Keep a contact list in case you need assistance or have a maintenance request.

Be Mindful of Noise – This is one of the most common complaints of apartment life. More consideration is needed in this area if you live above another person. It’s important to be mindful of the amount of noise you make in your apartment, and in public spaces that are shared with your neighbors such as hallways, elevators, and entryways. It is recommended to use an inside voice in shared spaces, close doors gently, watch the volume of electronic devices, and avoid stomping on the floor when living above someone or in the hallway and on stairs,

especially early in the morning and late at night. Soft footwear makes less noise than heavy duty items such as boots or high heels. Being mindful of your noise level will go a long way in creating a better environment for all.

Keep it Clean – Outdoor spaces such as balconies, doorways, and yards should always be kept clear of debris, garbage, and clutter. It’s important to also keep the inside of your apartment clean and tidy. If you end up with a rodent or pest problem, it could affect your neighbors down the line. We also need to work together to keep common areas clean. Always pick up after your pet and never litter.

Follow the Rules – Many SMHO buildings have assigned parking spots for residents, and separate spaces for visitors. Make sure your visitors know where they should park before arriving. Smoking is only allowed in designated spots outside the buildings, or off-property; never inside an apartment. Illicit drug use of any kind is prohibited on any SMHO property (even marijuana). Also be respectful of laundry etiquette. Avoid leaving clothes unattended. A typical washer operates for about 30 minutes on average, while a dryer can take between 45 and 60 minutes. Always clean out lint screens and wipe up any spills.

Help Each Other – One of the potential benefits of apartment living is that neighbors tend to look after one another. There is more support directly around you, which can be very beneficial. Help each other as you can… carry up groceries, lend a cup of sugar, pet-sit, or watch over a neighbors place while they are out of town. There are many small ways we can help make life a little easier for each other.

Overall, being respectful and friendly are keys to being good neighbors. “Sure, it would be nice if we could all come home and you never heard any noise from another neighbor,” Farley says. “But that’s not the reality of living in a multi-age, multi-demographic dwelling. It has its own charms, and you have to take the good with the bad.”

Tips to Live your Best Apartment Life

3www.smho.co

February 2021

One in 5 Americans suffers from hearing loss to an extent that interferes with communication. Hearing The Call believes no one should miss out on participating fully in life because of hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. Sadly, even Medicare does not cover any of the costs of treating hearing loss, nor do many health insurance plans.

They are hosting a FREE Hearing Clinic in Littleton, CO on March 6 from 9 am - 3 pm at 26 W. Dry Creek Circle. Pre-qualification is necessary and can be done at the link below.

Hearing the Call is a nonprofit bringing hope and healing to persons with hearing loss in Colorado, and around the world. Through quality healthcare, they help people connect with family, education, and opportunities.

Learn more and pre-qualify at this link: http://hearingthecall.org/colorado/. You can also give them a call at (260) 494-0231. Share the gift of hearing by letting others know who could benefit from this service.

Free Hearing Clinic in Littleton

Crisis Care is just a Call Away EverydayMore than ever, it’s important to stay connected to others any way we can, safely. Even if it seems like you are alone, this is a friendly reminder that you are not. There are people to talk to and resources available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many for no cost to you.

One of those resources is Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners (RMCP); an independent non-profit organization, based in Colorado, focused on effective Crisis Care, that exists for no other reason than to make life better for the citizens of Colorado -- and it’s free.

The service is provided via phone or texting (electronic messaging). Simply call or text 1-844-493-8255 (TALK) anytime you need to talk to someone, 24/7. Help is available. If you are in need of assistance, please reach out to someone. Learn more about RMCP at rmcrisispartners.org.

“Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.” -Robert H. Schuller

Additional Local Resources:AllHealth Network6500S. Sycamore Street Littleton, CO 80120(303) 730-8858www.allhealthnetwork.org

1st Star Counseling1100 W. Littleton Blvd., Suite 350Littleton, CO 80120(303) 638-4372www.1ststar.net

Southwest Counseling Services141 W. Davies Ave. N, Suite 105 Littleton, CO 80120(303) 730-1717www.southwestcounseling.org

Thriveworks Counseling9200 W. Cross Drive, Suite 225 Littleton, CO 80123(720) 358-3864www.thriveworks.com

How to ApplyHow to ApplyHow to Apply

Property ContactsAlyson CourtPhone: (303) 797-0155Email: AlysonCourt@smho.co

Amity Plaza & Powers CirclePhone: (303) 795-0462Email: AmityPlaza-PowersCircle@smho.co

Bradley HousePhone: (720) 726-5080Email: BradleyHouse@smho.co

Resident ServicesJebe: (303) 241-4211Brie: (720) 335-1310Courtnee: (303) 596-8926

Emergency Work Orders(303) 794-9608

Area Hospitals Littleton Adventist(303) 730-8900

Swedish Medical Center(303) 788-5000

Skyridge Medical Center(720) 225-1000Please call 911 for emergencies

Welcome our new staff MembersWe are thrilled to welcome bright new faces to the South Metro Housing Options team! They are all Colorado natives and bring new energy and knowledge to our group. Get to know a little about them below and feel free to say hello.

Angie Huggins - joins us as a new Housing Clerk at Amity Plaza. She is very personable, enjoys organizing, and talking with people. She also has previous management experience.

Courtnee Glenn - joined out Resident Services team as a new Coordinator, and will be working closely with Jebe and Brie to assist our residents. She shared that she was looking for an opportunity to help others improve their life skills in ways that will help them overcome hardships and invest in themselves, which led her to housing and SMHO.

Jessica Rice - joins us as the new Property Manager at Amity Plaza. She enjoys meeting new people and hearing their stories. She also loves to help people. It is this combination that led her to the housing industry, and SMHO.

Laurie Green - joins our team as the new Receptionist at the Main Office. When asked what drew her to apply to work in affordable housing she said, “Everyone deserves a home. I love helping people find their roots. Colorado has become very expensive and it’s good to know there are places that can assist with finding homes.”

Contact Us! SMHO Administration: (303) 794-9608Resident Services: (303) 596-8926Website: www.smho.co

Our Main Office is Located at:5808 South Rapp StreetSuite 100Littleton, CO. 80120

Since 1971, South Metro Housing Options (SMHO), also called Littleton Housing Authority, has been building a better community by providing access to affordable housing in one of the most desirable places to live on the Front Range. Affordable housing serves an essential need and creates a more diverse and productive community, personal empowerment, and economic opportunities. Good housing provides a stepping-stone toward self-sufficiency and promotes dignity, diversity, and individuality.

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February 2021Communique’