Business owners and homeless advocates have the same goal: Get people off the streets. It comes with a big price tag.
Denver needs at least 30,000 affordable apartments to solve the homelessness crisis, eliminate tent encampments and restore the atmosphere that defined downtown. If everything goes as planned in the next five years, the city will add 5,000 to 6,000 units.
The huge gap was a key point as Denver business owners, increasingly frustrated by the state of downtown, discussed their concerns this week with organizations that help the homeless find housing and shelter.
“It’s bad and getting worse” was the title of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce agenda, and there was no argument from even the groups working to solve the problem. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and the state Office of Homeless Initiatives are providing more housing and services than ever before, but cannot keep up with the demand.
See the full article by Jennifer Brown, September 8, 2022