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.

2024

  • 4/4/24 – Carol Taylor

    This week, I got a chance to talk to talk with Carol, a single mother of two, who has navigated the waters of securing stable, affordable housing while striving to provide a quality education for her children. Carol’s journey shows the profound impacts that housing instability can have on educational outcomes, shedding light on the…

    4/4/24 – Carol Taylor
  • 3/27 – Jose Martinez

    This week, Jose and I wanted to talk specifically about immigrants in Aurora trying to find a home while navigating the complexities of a new country. Today, we sit down with Jose Martinez, a recent immigrant from Colombia, who shares his experiences and the hurdles he faced in securing a home for his family in…

    3/27 – Jose Martinez
  • 3/23/24 – Janine Kuzac

    Offering more than just a bed for the night, the Hesed House in Aurora provides comprehensive services aimed at addressing the root causes of homelessness. However, as the economic landscape evolves and the demands on such shelters grow, the challenges shelters like Hesed face become increasingly complex. To gain deeper insight into these challenges and…

    3/23/24 – Janine Kuzac
  • 3/14/24 – Maria Aguilar

    Maria’s story highlights the complex interplay between affordable housing availability, community support, and individual resilience. Her journey from uncertainty to stability illustrates the profound impact that a safe, stable home and a supportive community can have on individuals and families facing housing insecurity. Maria, thank you for agreeing to share your story with us today.…

    3/14/24  – Maria Aguilar
  • 3/7/24 – Jasmine Brown

    In the heart of Aurora, Jasmine’s story unfolds—a narrative that illuminates the struggles of many residents striving to keep up with rent amidst economic uncertainty. Jasmine, a single mother working two part-time jobs, confronts the reality of housing instability, her journey underscoring the broader challenges faced by countless others in the community. Jasmine, thank you…

    3/7/24 – Jasmine Brown
  • 2/29/24 – Sophia Martin

    This is Sophia’s second appearance on the AHO – she reached out to expand on our previous conversation on apartment housing in Aurora and we finally got a chance to sit down this week. This conversation was condensed for clarity. Good afternoon. Today, we delve into an issue at the heart of many housing discussions:…

    2/29/24 – Sophia Martin
  • 2/22/24 – Michael Pina

    Michael Pina is a local artist who reached out to me wishing to speak out on a topic that I now feel, after having talked with him, isn’t covered nearly enough. We met at the City Council meeting on the 13th of February and we finally got a chance to sit down this week. I…

    2/22/24 – Michael Pina
  • 2/15/24 – David Zyskowski

    This is David’s second appearance on the AHO newsletter. He recently reached out to me to specifically expand on post-eviction challenges for citizens across Aurora. This Wednesday evening, he sat down with me to discuss his recent eviction and his thoughts on how his experience can inform City policy. This conversation was condensed for clarity.…

    2/15/24 – David Zyskowski
  • 2/8/24 – David White

    David and I met at a recent City Hall meeting. This is his first appearance on the AHO publication. This conversation has been condensed for clarity. Welcome, and thank you for joining us to share your journey and insights. Today, we delve into a narrative that, while deeply personal, reflects a broader issue many face…

    2/8/24 – David White
  • 2/1/24 – Jamila Roberts

    This is Jamila’s first appearance on the AHO. After meeting at the recent January 23 City Council meeting, Jamila and I sat down to expand on her perspective regarding on the correlation between unequal education opportunities and low-income housing in Aurora. This conversation was condensed for clarity. Welcome, and thank you for joining us today.…

    2/1/24 – Jamila Roberts