Aurora Housing Observer

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

My name’s Pranet Swain. I regularly try to interview local residents with personal perspectives on Aurora’s housing shortage that are usually hard to thoughtfully share through our crowded town hall meetings. I regularly meet interviewees while sitting in on local town hall meetings, volunteering at local homeless shelters, as well as through email request. While I usually stick to publishing interviews with those currently at risk of eviction or homelessness, the publication does include some conversations with those with different perspectives on the crisis. As a disclaimer, all conversations are condensed for clarity and some names have been altered for privacy upon request.

2023

  • 10/19/23 – Claire Edwards

    Claire and I met through last week’s controversial City Hall meeting on the casino relocation and she wished to talk about her personal experience with housing at large. This conversation has been condensed for clarity. Good morning, Claire. Today, we delve into a personal journey that reflects broader challenges and triumphs within the housing landscape…

    10/19/23 – Claire Edwards
  • 10/12/23 – Lewis Schmidt

    Lewis and I met on our way back from a recent City Hall meeting. He wished to discuss specifically his family’s encounter with the housing problems existent in Aurora. This conversation has been edited for clarity. Good morning, and thank you for joining us to share your story. Many residents of Aurora have been navigating…

    10/12/23 – Lewis Schmidt
  • 10/5/23 – Ramon Ortiz

    Ramon, who’s been an AHO subscriber for the past couple of months, reached out to me online to set up this interview to discuss the intersection of tech and housing distribution in Aurora and I was nothing short of excited. This conversation has been condensed for clarity. Welcome, and thank you for joining us today.…

    10/5/23 – Ramon Ortiz
  • 9/28/23 – Sophia Martin

    Sophia and I set up a conversation after meeting at a recent City Council discussion, specifically about her overall experiences trying to retain affordable housing for her family in Aurora. This conversation has been condensed for clarity. Good morning, and thank you for joining us to share your insights on Aurora’s housing situation. Let’s start…

    9/28/23 – Sophia Martin
  • 9/21/23 – Laura Roberts

    Laura and I met at a recent City Hall meeting and she wished to come on just to share her story and her overall thoughts on housing in Aurora. This conversation has been condensed for clarity. Welcome. Laura, as we talked about on end earlier, it’s crucial we discuss not just the statistics of Aurora’s…

    9/21/23 – Laura Roberts
  • 9/14/23 – Scott Billings

    Scott, welcome. Today, we’re discussing a critical yet often underrepresented issue in the affordable housing conversation: ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities in Aurora. Your advocacy in this field has been both personal and impactful. Could you share your journey with us? Absolutely, and thank you for bringing attention to this important topic. My journey…

    9/14/23 – Scott Billings
  • 9/7/23 – Martial Johnson

    Welcome, and thank you for sharing your time with us today. We’re delving into the effects of urban development on community services and infrastructure in Aurora. This encompasses a wide array of topics, including the strain on local resources, changes in community demographics, and the overall impact on residents’ quality of life. To start, could…

    9/7/23 – Martial Johnson
  • 8/31/23 – Olivia Charles

    Welcome, and thank you for joining us to discuss a topic that resonates deeply with many in Aurora: the preservation of historical neighborhoods amidst rapid urban development and gentrification. To begin, could you share your personal experience or connection to one of Aurora’s historical neighborhoods? Thank you for having me. My connection to Aurora’s historical…

    8/31/23 – Olivia Charles
  • 8/24/23 – Anthony Hopper

    Welcome, and thank you for joining us to share your experience. Today, we delve into the personal stories behind the affordable housing crisis in Aurora, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of individuals and families navigating this complex issue. Can you start by telling us about your journey with affordable housing in Aurora? Thank you for…

    8/24/23 – Anthony Hopper
  • 8/17/23 – Ruben Alvarez

    Ruben, welcome. Today, we delve into a specific yet critical aspect of Aurora’s housing crisis: the challenges surrounding emergency housing solutions and the support systems for individuals facing immediate homelessness. Could you share with us your involvement or personal story related to this issue? Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this urgent matter. My…

    8/17/23 – Ruben Alvarez