Denver will continue to operate at least two micro-communities for homeless people after the City Council extended their contracts Monday.
The sites are temporary communities using quick-to-build structures and on-site services. They’re intended as a way to move people living in encampments into safer, more stable housing while the city works to connect them with permanent housing.
The sites are part of Mayor Mike Johnston’s All in Mile High homeless initiative, which aims to bring 2,000 people inside this year and 2,000 into permanent housing, he announced in January.
The city has three of the micro-community sites so far, though more may be eventually built.
“Additional sites are not off the table but our priority for 2025 is on accelerating housing placements from current locations and then, as a result of that freed up capacity, getting even more people off the streets,” said Jon Ewing, spokesperson for the mayor. “Long-term stability is the goal.”
Contracts for two of the sites, in the Golden Triangle and Central Park neighborhoods, were extended until the end of the year Monday, costing a combined $3.1 million. A third contract for a site on South Santa Fe, which costs another $1.8 million, was postponed until next week.
Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez postponed the contract after asking several questions about how the city would meet its homelessness goals and saying she wanted to follow up with the operator of the site, Colorado Village Collaborative.
The micro-communities have been scrutinized as the council and the community question their efficacy and security so far.
The South Santa Fe location, located at 2301 S. Santa Fe, has capacity for 60 people, according to the city’s website. The Central Park location, located at 12033 E. 38th Ave, has capacity for 54 people. The Golden Triangle location, located at 1375 N. Elati St, has room for 44 people.
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