Well, maybe - if Colorado Springs city planners don't block it. Paul “Pak” Koscielsk has plans to buy a former KOA and use it for transitional housing for the homeless. It could serve two missions: giving people a place to stay as they gear up to enter a program or treatment shelter, and giving those coming out of a shelter a low-cost residence as they transition back into society. Cost would be around $400/month. Though Koscielsk would partner with a nonprofit, the park would be a profit-making venture.
A no-camping ordinance goes into effect this week, so that would give the homeless an option. The campground would have toilet facilities,showers and laundry facilities, a step up from camping. Though not determined exactly how the property would be used, there is room for 160 RVs, 40 mobile homes plus an acre and 1/2 for tent camping.
The article doesn't make clear where these RVs and mobile homes are coming from. Would he be providing them for people to rent? Is he expecting to get city funds or grant money to subsidize this housing? Perhaps he bid on FEMA trailers? (That's from out in left field, but they would be cheap.) I do wonder why this would be more lucrative than keeping it a regular commercial park. Or, perhaps he would really like to make a contribution in this area, as long as he can make a profit at the same time.
Anyone from that part of the world that can shed light on the politics of this? It is a positive that affordable housing could be made available to those in need. Let's hope it works out as a win-win situation for all concerned. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
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