From Homeless to Hopeful: Tim Knittle Finds New Beginnings at Valor on the Fax

When Tim Knittle moved from El Paso, Texas to Colorado, he thought he would have a stable housing situation at his brother’s apartment. But after living there for three months, Knittle’s brother kicked him out, informing him that the apartment complex originally only allowed him to stay for two weeks.

In a new state with nowhere to go, Knittle suddenly found himself homeless in the Englewood area.

“When I was on the streets, it was different. I felt like giving up, but I never did anything bad when I was on the streets — I just did what I had to do to get by,” said Knittle. “I was still getting resources and making sure I was clean. I told people that it doesn’t matter what position I’m in, I won’t let myself be dirty or go without food. I always made sure I was good, and I never stole.”

Knittle believes that the respect you give to someone and the kindness you show always comes back around — no matter what position you’re in. Those are the principles he’s lived by throughout his life, and they were validated when he got a life-changing call on Nov. 29, 2022.

On that day, Knittle found out he was accepted to live at Valor on the Fax — Brothers Redevelopment’s newest affordable housing community at 7900 E. Colfax. So earlier this year, he packed his belongings and moved into one of the state-of-the-art apartments at Valor.

“When I first moved into here, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. It has definitely made a change in my life,” said Knittle. “I feel me being here, it makes me feel like I’m actually loved by people. I can be myself and not have to worry about anything like getting judged or getting told that I’m this or that.”

Knittle is one of dozens of residents who are settling into Valor on the Fax. The 72-unit community, conceived in partnership with Brothers and nonprofit Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, is home to people who experienced homelessness and/or have acquired brain injury or related disability. Valor on the Fax was formally opened in May when Brothers, our partners/staff, community leaders, and some community tenants joined together for a ribbon cutting.

As tenants have settled in, they’ve been welcomed with comprehensive services from the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, like resource navigation, job training, and recreational and wellness activities. And at the building’s first-floor commercial space, Brothers is providing housing services to residents of the surrounding East Colfax neighborhood.

Outside of supportive services, Valor on the Fax residents have access to a rooftop patio overlooking East Colfax, a modern community room, a laundry room, and more. The building’s interior features are designed to alleviate symptoms of brain injury while the exterior of the complex pays homage to Colfax’s history with bright colors to blend into the neighborhood.

“The way I see it, I know some of the people that live here that used to be on the streets, and I would run into them. I have helped them out before, and I really see that (Valor on the Fax) made a change for their life,” said Knittle. “Because almost every single person I see coming here is always smiling.”