Maria Villa Inc

Pros

• Great management and maintenance staff.
• Administration is very professional and comprehensive.
• There are multiple opportunities for resident activities and involvement.
• Management is highly trained in senior housing management.

Cons

• The complex is not HUD-compliant and is seen as a poor choice for subsidized housing.
• There is no heating in any of the bathrooms.
• There is very low water pressure in the bathrooms and kitchens.
• The kitchen has only 18 inches of counter space and the refrigerator is tiny.
• The largest burner on the electric stove shuts off after seven minutes.
• There is a one-inch gap under the front door, allowing a hospital-like odor to enter the unit.
• One or more residents rifle through the community trash bins and police trash disposal.
• The maintenance worker allegedly entered the apartment without notice or permission.
• Maintenance requests were changed from "wishes to be present" to "enter without permission."
• Mercy Housing is unresponsive and distrusted, with consideration of legal action or a possible class-action.
• The property is described as scary for seniors seeking independent living and allegedly inconsistent with HUD standards and personal safety.
• Harassment complaints by residents have occurred and been substantiated.
• The environment is described as resembling an old-folks home with long-term residents dictating behavior and trash disposal.
• The reviewer warns others and does not recommend the property.

Review

A federal subsidized housing complex for people aged 62 and older is producing a deeply mixed portrait, with residents alternately praising what they call strong administration and maintenance, and warning of conditions and practices that they claim fall far short of HUD standards. The core concern voiced by several residents is a pattern of inconsistent management since October 2023, accompanied by what they describe as harassment by a maintenance person and persistent unresponsiveness from Mercy Housing. A number of residents have urged reporting these issues to case managers, HUD, and Mercy Housing's board of directors, describing what they view as a troubling mismatch between stated goals of subsidized housing and the lived reality in the facility.

On the surface, the property has features that might be expected in an independent retirement setting, including a belief by some residents that management and maintenance are capable and responsive. One review explicitly praises "great management & maintenance staff" and describes administration as "very professional and comprehensive." This positive perspective emphasizes opportunities for resident involvement and events, framing the property as a well-run community for seniors that operates with a level of professionalism that stands out in the sector. However, this favorable view sits alongside a heavy cadre of complaints from other residents who say the property fails to meet basic standards or to protect residents' safety and well-being.

Several residents cite serious physical living-condition problems. They report that there is no heating in the bathrooms, which they view as a critical comfort and safety deficiency, especially in colder weather. They also describe very low water pressure in the bathrooms and kitchens, which makes even routine tasks frustrating. The kitchen area is characterized as severely limited, with only about 18 inches of counter space and a refrigerator described as "tiny." In addition, at least one burner on an electric stove allegedly shuts off after about seven minutes, creating ongoing cooking challenges. These comments collectively sketch a picture of a space that, in users' views, is not aligned with expectations for safe, functional, and comfortable senior housing.

Security and odor issues add another layer of concern. A resident notes a one-inch gap under the front door that allows odors from the hallway or common areas to drift into the apartment, and the resident describes having to block the gap with a towel or rug to prevent this intrusion. The same review mentions an odor problem persistent enough to be described as akin to a hospital environment, hinting at air-quality or containment issues that could dampen the quality of life for residents. The combination of odor intrusion and structural gaps is presented as a tangible and troubling detail of daily life in the building.

There are also concerns about trash management and resident behavior. Some residents are said to rifle through the community trash bin and to dictate how trash should be discarded, with the reviewer calling this behavior "pathological." The implication is that poor waste-management practices and a lack of consistent enforcement contribute to an atmosphere that feels unsettled and even unsafe for others. This issue is framed as part of a broader pattern of management challenges and resident interactions that contribute to an overall sense of disorder for some residents.

Privacy and safety fears are underscored by worries about maintenance access to personal spaces. One resident asserts that the maintenance person has been in their apartment without notice or permission for non-emergency issues. A recent request for routine maintenance reportedly shifted from "wishes to be present" to "enter without permission," a change that is interpreted as a direct threat to personal safety and autonomy. The sense of being unable to trust maintenance workers or property staff has reinforced the impression that residents' privacy is not adequately safeguarded.

In this uncertain picture, residents are divided about the property's leadership and practices. Some insist on reporting harassment and safety concerns to Mercy Housing, HUD, and the property's board of directors, arguing that this is necessary to protect vulnerable residents and to pursue accountability. One resident even frames the situation as a potential government fraud case, driven by the belief that the complex is not living up to HUD standards or to the obligations associated with subsidized housing. The language is urgent and unequivocal, with warnings not to recommend the property and to treat the situation as a matter for formal investigation and external oversight.

The narrative also points to a confusing relationship with a related property. The complex is described as the sister property to Clare of Assisi, adjacent and reportedly staffed by the same personnel and maintenance team. This link intensifies concerns about consistency in management practices across properties and raises questions about how widespread the reported issues may be across Mercy Housing offerings in the area. Yet this interconnection sits alongside another review that emphasizes professional, well-trained administration and opportunities for resident involvement, suggesting that experiences may vary not only from one unit to another but also over time as staff and procedures change.

Finally, it is important to note the dichotomy within the available voices. While some residents offer a starkly critical assessment of living conditions, safety, and governance, others highlight clear strengths in management and maintenance, praising professionalism and comprehensive administration. The same property - described at times as an independent retirement community rather than an assisted living facility - is thus portrayed as both a supportive, activity-rich environment and a place where basic amenities, safety measures, and respectful privacy may be inconsistently upheld. For anyone considering housing at this complex, the dominant takeaway from these competing narratives is a need for careful, firsthand evaluation: talk to current residents, verify maintenance practices, observe safety procedures, and confirm how concerns are escalated and resolved, especially with HUD and Mercy Housing's oversight bodies.

This part of Westminster, Colorado offers a variety of amenities and services within a short distance, making it a convenient and accessible location for senior living. There are several reputable physicians' offices nearby, along with pharmacies for easy access to medications. The area also features theaters for entertainment, a selection of restaurants catering to different tastes, cafes for socializing over coffee, and parks for leisurely strolls or outdoor activities. Additionally, there is a place of worship should you seek spiritual fulfillment. The proximity to public transportation at the RTD Rail station provides ease of travel if needed. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded living environment with essential services close by for seniors looking to enjoy their retirement years in comfort and convenience.

Physicians

• Panorama Orthopedic (0.3 miles)
• Partners In Health Family Medicine (1.4 miles)
• Complete Family Medicine (1.8 miles)
• Northern Hematology Oncology (1.8 miles)
• Advanced Medical Imaging (2 miles)
• Rocky Mountain Primary Care (3.7 miles)
• University Family Medicine (4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy (3.9 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Westminster (2.5 miles)
• AMC Westminster Promenade 24 (4.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Grogans Pub (2.9 miles)
• Old Chicago (3 miles)
• Old Chicago (3.5 miles)
• Brewskies Pub & Grill (3.9 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (4.2 miles)
• 3 Margaritas Family Mexican Restaurant (4.4 miles)
• School House Kitchen & Libations (4.7 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (3.5 miles)
• The Radiator (4.8 miles)
• Huckleberry Roasters (5 miles)
• The Bardo Coffee House (5.9 miles)
• Improper City (6 miles)
• Crema Coffee House (6.2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (6.7 miles)

Parks

• Yorkborough Park (3.9 miles)
• Rocky Mountain Lake Park (4.7 miles)
• Berkeley Leashless Dog Park (4.9 miles)
• Berkeley Park (5 miles)
• Fairmount Park (5.1 miles)
• César Chávez Park (5.3 miles)
• Redpoint Ridge Park (5.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Wat Buddhawararam (4.4 miles)

Transportation

• RTD Rail - 38th & Blake Station (5.7 miles)