Higgins Plaza

Pros

• The staff were very helpful and supportive.
• The area is beautiful and offers an excellent location.
• The staff and residents are wonderful and doing their best together.
• Catholic Charities is at its best.
• The floorplan features an open kitchen, a decent-sized bedroom, and a great view.
• The building is very clean and features interesting artwork and decorations in the hallways.
• The lobby is clean and quiet.
• The neighborhood seems nice.
• Residents are grateful for the housing provided.

Cons

• The reviewer notes that security is non-existent and that drug dealers and other unauthorized people are let in at night.
• The reviewer notes that the building has been allowed to fall apart and that staff take no responsibility for the safety of seniors and disabled residents.
• The reviewer notes that applications are denied for not being in a mobility unit, with the denial blamed on HUD.
• The reviewer notes the use of leases from generations ago with HUD rules attached to leases from 2006, implying outdated and harmful practices.
• The reviewer notes that some residents have cataracts or cannot read, which is described as despicable and probably illegal.
• The reviewer notes that the facility is dirty.

Review

A common thread across the notes about this Denver senior housing community is a blend of warmth and concern. On one hand, many reviewers praise the people who run and live in the building, the convenient and pleasant location, and the overall atmosphere of care and community. On the other hand, several accounts raise serious questions about security, governance, and how rules are applied, especially for residents who are disabled or on limited income. Taken together, the comments paint a picture of a place that can be very supportive and welcoming, but that also faces significant challenges in safety and administration.

Staff and residents frequently come up as the bright spots. Multiple reviewers describe the staff as helpful, supportive, and genuinely attentive to residents' needs. Statements like "staff was very helpful and supportive," "the staff and residents are all wonderful and doing their best together," and "very nice staff and resident" recurred in several entries. Individuals note that family members - fathers, mothers-in-law, and other loved ones - feel well treated and cared for, with comments such as "my father lives here and is treated quite well," and "my mother-in-law loves it." The sense of community among residents also shines in several reviews, with people expressing gratitude for the housing and describing the building as a pleasant place to live that fosters a positive environment.

The area and building itself are frequently highlighted as attractive. Reviewers speak of a beautiful location in Denver and a neighborhood that seems nice, with easy access to amenities. The building is described as clean, well-maintained, and aesthetically pleasing, with features like an open kitchen, decent-sized bedrooms, and great views noted by a few visitors. Inside spaces receive praise for cleanliness and quiet ambiance, and some reviewers mention interesting artwork and decorations in the hallways as part of a welcoming atmosphere. For those visiting or waiting on lists, the lobby comes across as neat and orderly, contributing to a favorable first impression.

Yet there are substantial criticisms that cannot be overlooked. A number of reviewers alarming security concerns, describing the security as nonexistent and recounting incidents where outsiders, including drug dealers, are able to gain entry at night. These comments suggest a sense of vulnerability among residents, particularly given that many live there because they are seniors or disabled. Some accounts feel the building has not kept up with its responsibilities, describing deterioration and a lack of accountability for problems that affect residents' safety and well-being. One reviewer even suggested that the situation is "despicable" and possibly illegal, underscoring the emotional weight of perceived neglect.

Another thorny issue centers on policy and rule enforcement, especially around mobility units and HUD regulations. Several reviewers report being denied applications based on not being in a mobility unit, with some blaming HUD rules and past lease language from 2006. The tension arises around how HUD recognizes or does not recognize certain conditions as mobility needs, with claims that HUD does not acknowledge a disabled person as being in a mobility unit. The critique is that leases and rules from older arrangements are being applied in ways that adversely affect current residents, sometimes with residents feeling misled or held to standards that don't reflect their needs. The questions raised about legality, proper policy interpretation, and accountability reflect real frustration and concern for the fairness of the process.

Processing and moving through the application process adds another layer to the experience. Several people report on the waiting list, expressing hope or anticipation about getting a chance to move in. One person mentions going to obtain an application, noting the lobby's clean and quiet environment and a decent manager, while another expresses interest in seeing the layout of an apartment. The mix of practical steps - visiting to pick up materials, looking at floor plans, waiting on a list - highlights the ongoing demand for affordable senior housing and the hopes of those seeking a place within the community.

In sum, the impressions are mixed and nuanced. For many, the staff, residents, and overall environment present a supportive and welcoming living space with a strong sense of community and a favorable location. For others, serious concerns about safety, maintenance, and the way rules are enforced - particularly for residents who are disabled or on mobility-related considerations - cast a shadow over the experience. The facility appears to be a place where kindness and camaraderie can flourish, yet it also faces critiques about governance and security that suggest there is substantial work to be done to align operations with residents' needs and expectations.

This part of Denver, Colorado offers a diverse range of amenities and services within close proximity. With several restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, hospitals, parks, theaters, and places of worship nearby, residents have easy access to essential facilities. The area also provides convenient transportation options through the RTD Rail station within 2.5 miles. The presence of various medical centers and physicians in the vicinity ensures quality healthcare services for seniors. Additionally, the neighborhood features beautiful parks like City Park and Cheesman Park for recreational activities. Overall, this area presents a well-connected and vibrant community suitable for senior living.

Restaurants

• Cerebral Brewing (0.5 miles)
• Snooze, an A.M. Eatery (1 miles)
• Charlie's Denver (1.2 miles)
• Cherry Cricket (1.3 miles)
• NoRth (1.3 miles)
• X Bar (1.4 miles)
• Flower Child (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Parks

• City Park (0.6 miles)
• Cheesman Park (1 miles)
• Benedict Fountain Park (1.7 miles)
• Bonnie Brae Ellipse Park (2.6 miles)
• Washington Park (2.7 miles)
• Infinity Park (2.9 miles)
• Confluence Park (3.1 miles)

Hospitals

• National Jewish Health (0.6 miles)
• Webb Center for Primary Care (2.2 miles)
• Cherry Creek Eye Center (2.9 miles)

Physicians

• Center For Hearing, Speech, & Language (0.9 miles)
• Rose Medical Center Medical Libr (1.1 miles)
• Orthopedic Associates (1.2 miles)
• Children's Medical Center (1.2 miles)
• Denver Health: Gipson Eastside Family Health Center (1.7 miles)
• Cherry Creek Pediatrics (2.9 miles)
• Colorado Kids Pediatrics (3.2 miles)

Theaters

• Amc 9+Co 1 (1 miles)
• Regal UA Denver Pavilions 4DX & RPX (2 miles)

Cafes

• Aviano Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Crema Coffee House (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Improper City (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Stella's Coffee House (3.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• St John's Cathedral (1.3 miles)

Transportation

• RTD Rail - 38th & Blake Station (2.5 miles)
• United Airlines Flight Training Center (3.4 miles)