Denver approves $14.3M to combat homelessness

(The Center Square) – Denver City Council approved $14.3 million in spending to combat homelessness within the city at its recent meeting.

Colorado is one of several states across the country spending millions of dollars to combat the growing number of homeless.

The money will be delegated across six separate expenditures with the city of Denver, according to agenda documents from a city council meeting on Monday. These approvals come on the heels of the mayor announcing hundreds of Denverites to be brought indoors in December.

As previously reported by The Center Square, the Common Sense Institute examined the growth of the homeless population in Colorado and estimated $1.9 billion will be spent on homelessness by federal, state, local, and private entities between 2021 and 2023.

“Next, we need other leaders to encourage opening housing resources across the city to speed up the process of moving people from tents to permanent homes,” Shontel Lewis, a Denver councilmember, said in a press release.

The City Council approved a $587,563 grant agreement with the United States of America Department of Housing and Urban Development for the “Emergency 18 Solutions Grant FY23” program to fund six programs with local subcontractors.

• Provide emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid rehousing.
• The funding term Nov. 1, 2023 to Oct. 31 , 2025.

The City Council approved a $2.2 million contract with The Colorado Village Collaborative for operations and services at a 60-unit micro community site.

• Serve 150 individuals throughout the contract.
• The contract is valid until Dec. 31, 2024

Council members approved a $4.25 million contract with Satellite Shelters for manufactured modular homes for people without housing.

• This contract will provide 14 community buildings for micro-communities.
• Buildings will provide space for administration, case management meetings, community meals, socializing, laundry, and bathrooms.
• The contract will run through Dec. 31, 2024

The City Council approved an additional $250,000 contract with Jewish Family Service of Colorado, Inc. to provide rapid rehousing assistance to families experiencing homelessness citywide.

• Short- and medium-term rental assistance will be provided to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Adds one additional year for a new end term of Dec. 31, 2024.

The council also approved an additional $300,000 contract with Bluff Mercy, LLC for supportive services and housing subsidies to those experiencing homelessness. The contract will end Dec. 31, 2024.

Additionally, the council approved an additional $1.3 million contract with the Volunteers of America Colorado Branch to help provide family motel shelter operations.

• Assist with supportive services for the respite program.
• The new end term is Jan. 31, 2024.

There were 5,818 people experiencing homelessness in Denver as of January, according to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.