A Thousand Homeless Sheltered in Temporary Homes in Denver

MAYOR MIKE JOHNSTON FULFILLS HIS PROMISE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN DENVER.

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced the fulfillment of his promise to take a thousand homeless individuals off the city streets and place them in temporary housing before the year’s end. Since taking office in July, Johnston made reducing homelessness his top priority. The goal included not only providing shelter but also offering mental health support, addiction treatment, and facilitating employment for those benefiting from the program.

Mayor Johnston’s announcement took place on New Year’s Eve, emphasizing that, in less than six months, over 1,000 people have found shelter. The mayor expressed satisfaction in welcoming his new neighbors to the facilities and Comfort Inn, noting that the figure is likely to surpass an additional 100 people before 2024 begins. However, Johnston acknowledged that the work has just begun, setting a goal to house another thousand people next year.

“The real victory will be when the experience of homelessness is brief, uncommon in Denver,” Mayor Johnston stated. In an emotional statement, a mother of two, now a resident of a small temporary home, responded to Johnston and expressed gratitude for having a permanent home. The city of Denver invested tens of millions of dollars in acquiring hotels, creating “tiny” shelters, and establishing micro-communities.

Johnston’s achievement has generated various opinions in the Denver community, from city council leaders praising the initiative to critical activists acknowledging notable improvements in the situation of the homeless in the city. Camp closures and the focus on providing housing alternatives have made a significant difference, although some argue that the root causes of the problem need to be more thoroughly addressed.

Affordable Housing

Mayor Johnston hopes that activity will increase in the city center, discouraging camp formation and promoting shelter use. While celebrating the accomplishment of the thousand-person goal, he also recognizes that creating affordable housing will be crucial to tackling the issue in the long term. December was particularly active for camp closures, and Johnston anticipates that the next phase of his initiative will focus on expanding access to affordable housing in an increasingly expensive city.

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