Story Archive

Stay Homeless, You Bum

After six years of homelessness, Clem Smith has a place of his own — but officials say he can’t live there. His mother died, and he spent more than half his inheritance on land in Conifer, Colo. He improved the land, too, and brought in his RV, a shipping container, and a couple of other vehicles. He says he wants to to live on his own land in his own RV while he builds a house, but officials say it violates zoning for him to have an RV there without a house. He may have to pay a fine, and move to the Walmart parking lot. “I’ve been on the homeless circuit for several years,” he says, “and everybody at the campgrounds and at Walmart is hoping to get a piece of property and build their own home.” But Jeanie Rossillon, director of development and transportation for Jefferson County, says zoning promotes health and safety. And, she says, “It’s also about expectations.” (AC/KMGH Denver) ...And people with nice houses don’t expect guys from the Walmart parking lot to bring their RVs to their neighborhoods.