Mary Anne Thompson, who said she lives at Vita at Sloan’s Lake, 4057 West Colfax, told the Denver City Council on Aug. 11 that drug use in federally funded housing has put tenants in danger and that eviction processes are slow. “Housing is a human right,” Thompson said. “HUD rules say that no drugs are allowed in federally funded buildings and have caught our grounds for eviction.”

Thompson described an incident on May 20 when smoke from neighbors using meth reportedly filled her hallway and led to severe respiratory and health symptoms that required emergency care. “I inhaled it as I was standing outside my apartment … I started coughing and hallucinating and had chest pain,” she said, and added that police did not respond after repeated calls.

Why it matters: Thompson said tenants who follow rules are being endangered by other residents’ drug use and that property management, police and city systems are not addressing the problem. She asked council whether placing people with active addiction into housing without case management adequately protects other tenants.

Details: Thompson said the eviction process can take up to two years and described continued disturbances and alleged property damage. She reported being taken to the ER with a workup related to breathing problems and said the problematic tenant remained in the building at the time of her comment.

Context and limits: Thompson identified the residential building as a DHA property and referenced HUD rules regarding drugs in federally funded buildings. Her remarks were public comment; no council vote or directive was recorded in this session.

Next steps: Thompson urged the council to address tenant safety, housing management accountability and service provision for tenants with addiction; no formal action was recorded on Aug. 11.