Notes

Homeless in Denver
Thousands of people in Denver are living without a roof over their head. They are sleeping on the streets, in abandoned buildings or under bridges. Some are staying in shelters but many are not. They are struggling to find jobs, get treatment for mental health or substance use problems and keep up with rising rents and mortgage payments. They are also trying to care for children who have been affected by domestic violence and other issues that make life difficult.

The city of Denver’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, required by federal law, found that the number of homeless in the area has increased dramatically. The count, conducted in January each year, records the number of unduplicated people who are experiencing homelessness on a given night.

It is not uncommon for a person to experience one or more episodes of homelessness in their lifetime. It is not a sign of weakness or failure, but rather that they are often confronted with complex and ever-changing challenges such as job loss, lack of affordable housing options, mental illness and substance abuse. The challenge is even greater for young adults who face unique obstacles like teen parenting and lack of work skills and training.

Homeless Veterans of Denver provides a continuum of services to homeless families, specifically mothers with children and single women through their In-House Stabilization, Follow-Up and Transitional Housing Programs. Founded by Catherine Bevanda in 1980, the organization began in an old convent adjacent to Sacred Heart School in lower downtown Denver. It is operated by a small group of volunteers and donors.

The organization focuses on serving homeless families and single women who are either experiencing their first time of homelessness or are re-entering the housing system after previously being homeless. Their goal is to assist them in moving from shelters into permanent housing and achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency.

Homelessness in Denver is a complicated issue with many causes. While it can be easy to blame the individual, research shows that it is largely caused by economic disparity and structural inequalities. The community must come together to address these root causes in order to end homelessness.

In his first action as mayor, Mike Johnston declared homelessness a crisis and launched a plan to get 1,000 people off the street and into housing by Dec. 31. His plan includes moving people out of the tent camps into temporary tiny homes and converted hotels.

While the city has invested heavily in addressing homelessness, it has not been enough to produce the desired results. It is time to implement a more holistic approach that combines housing with wrap-around services that include mental health and substance use support. We must invest in prevention and offer opportunities to help youth move out of homelessness and onto a pathway towards independence. We must also address the systemic reasons that lead to homelessness by changing our attitudes and reducing barriers to housing, such as eliminating eviction assistance fees or expanding outreach to families who are at risk of losing their homes.
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