Denver making headway in helping homeless
The City and County of Denver, together with service partners, is doing more than ever to help ensure that episodes of homelessness are brief and one- time occurrences. A recent guest column highlighted many challenges of homelessness, but the author also made claims that perpetuate myths about our shelter system – such as sobriety requirements, availability of beds, and the ability for couples to stay together – that may prevent individuals from seeking shelter and ultimately regaining housing.
The COVID- 19 pandemic certainly laid bare many challenges contributing to housing instability and homelessness. Metro Denver Homeless Initiative estimates suggest that unsheltered homelessness has grown by about 30% the past two years.
Despite the pandemic’s challenges, there is a significant silver lining: the transformation of Denver’s shelter system for persons experiencing homelessness. Staying at home simply wasn’t possible for our unhoused neighbors when COVID- 19 emerged. So, we took immediate steps to open extra shelter options, and to completely transform our shelter network to be more accessible to those who need it. Gone are the days when the shelter experience was primarily standing in line for an overnight bed and leaving again in the morning with all your belongings on your back. The vast majority of Denver’s shelters are now open around the clock, offer reserved beds, lockable storage, three meals a day, shower and laundry facilities, and, most importantly, on- site case management to connect with services and housing.
We have been working hard to lower the barriers to shelter and to make them more welcoming for all. Our shelter partners generally do not require photo identification for check in, and regularly help people obtain identification and vital documents. None of Denver’s city- funded shelter partners require sobriety as a condition for admittance. Most programs prohibit possession, use, storage or distribution of substances within the shelter environment, but no one must be “clean and sober” in order to find a shelter bed.
Individual shelters also traditionally haven’t allowed for couples or pets, and this too is changing. The expansion of shelter alternatives, like Safe Outdoor Spaces and Tiny Homes, allows couples to stay together, and pets are welcome, too. While non- discrimination is expected in our shelters, we also have more welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ and nonbinary couples to shelter together.
While we have made many shelter improvements, our work is not done. We will continue to make these facilities even more welcoming. One thing’s for sure— Denver will always offer shelter for those who choose to come indoors. Hundreds of beds remain available every night; and when conditions warrant, we are ready to add beds to meet community demand.
We recognize that sheltering is a temporary response, to help stabilize lives. Lasting solutions to homelessness are built on housing. Throughout the pandemic we have only increased our housing response with partners quickly moving people from the streets and into homes. Efforts like our recent housing surges, which rehoused nearly 1,200 people over two 100- day periods, are working.
In recent years, we have sharpened our focus on a housing- first approach to homelessness resolution. Denver’s Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond initiative is housing hundreds of people, and 77% of them remain housed after three years, saving millions on jail and emergency interventions.
Thanks to Denver voters, our new, first- ever dedicated Homelessness Resolution Fund is making a number of critical investments possible, including the development of 1,800 supportive housing units over 10 years.
These units are already taking shape in the Barnum neighborhood, where the 49- unit Rhonda’s
Place project is under construction and will soon provide not only homes, but critical wraparound services such as counseling, substance use treatment, psychiatric care, and medical care to help residents thrive.
Since Mayor Michael B. Hancock took office, our city has added nearly 9,000 affordable homes. More than 1,000 affordable units that have received city financing are under construction at 17 sites throughout Denver. And an additional 513 income- restricted units are in the planning stage.
When it comes to resolving homelessness, we know what works and we’re doing more of it. To learn more, I invite you to review the Department of Housing Stability’s website and our FiveYear Strategic Plan, which charts our path forward to a healthy, housed and connected Denver.