LOCAL FEATURE “We have a mission and we believe it’s the right thing to do to go to these encampments and identify folks and provide them with resources like housing. That’s our number one focus,” Solas said. According to Solas, the outreach team tries to match resources with different camp sizes. If the city has five housing units available at different sites, then the outreach team tries to find a similarly sized camp to match the number of resources available. Solas also said Mayor Johnston has prioritized housing for the homeless community more than any previous administration and has housed nearly 1,500 individuals since July 2023. The goal of the “2024 All In Mile High” program is to house 2,000 individuals by the end of the year. However, the Mayor’s approach to offering new All In Mile High housing resources only through street outreach programs may be having unintended consequences. “Unfortunately, the reality is that right now, we have more people than resources,” Solas said. According to Solas, the encampment resolution approach is a “double-edged sword.” The City is housing some of the most vulnerable in the homeless community, but those who want to participate in the new housing programs can’t access them except by being at the right camp at the right time. Lady Red said it is extremely discouraging to hope to get a housing resource this way. “I have been chasing housing and following this outreach team forever,” she said. “I have been trying to be in the right camp since the program started last year, but I have been out of luck every time. I just don’t know where they’re going to go next, and it is crap that the outreach team won’t tell us where they’re going to go.” Another resident of the Havana St. encampment echoed Lady Red’s feelings that those seeking help aren’t able to get the new housing resources unless they are at the right encampment at the right time. “We’re not out here because we’re criminals or because we’re drug addicts,” said Cutter Antz, who asked to be identified by his street name. “The majority of us are out here because of tragedy. Something hit every one of us hard. That led to mental illness, or losing a job, or a conviction, or something that landed us on the street. And once you’re out here you can’t get back on your feet without help.” Cutter Antz said it is difficult to see individuals chasing the help they need only to be rebuffed by a city sweep that upends their lives. One encampment at 8th Ave. and Navajo Street grew significantly because many individuals heard that those in the camp would receive shelter or housing when the camp was swept. “City officials told me to come here. This would be the next camp to get housing, so I came here because they told me to,” said Denver VOICE vendor David Gordon. Gordon explained that he didn’t know exactly who had told him to move to the camp, but the person he spoke with identified themselves as working for the city. Gordon also said he moved to the camp weeks before it was swept on April 16. Once in the camp, his only interaction with city staff was when police officers made daily visits to it. “They shouldn’t go back on their offer,” Gordon said. “They said to come here and get services. But now they’re forcing us to go, but go where?” The Denver VOICE spoke with dozens of individuals who said they too had moved to the camp after hearing from outreach workers, case managers, police officers, or word of mouth that the camp would be receiving a housing resource. The drive for housing among the homeless community is so great that the 8th Ave. encampment ballooned to more than 150 individuals in more than 60 tents and lean-to structures after individuals heard that the camp would be next to receive housing. “THE MAJORITY OF US ARE OUT HERE BECAUSE OF TRAGEDY. SOMETHING HIT EVERY ONE OF US HARD,” SAID CUTTER ANTZ. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN “The city is working to prevent this type of miscommunication or mistakes through consistent training and communication with the city partners,” said Derek Woodbury, interim director of communications and engagement for the Denver Department of Housing Stability. Mayor Mike Johnston acknowledged the desire for housing was one cause for the camp’s growth during a town hall on April 9th. “I’m [at the 8th Ave camp] because I want to get housing and this is what my case manager told me was the best option to stay here,” said Tracie, who asked to be identified by only her first name. Tracie said she doesn’t feel entitled to housing or free rent, but she can’t get off the streets without assistance. It is extremely difficult to get a job when homeless because employers won’t hire an individual who cannot apply for a job online and lacks a shower or clean clothes. According to Tracie, moving into an unknown encampment is traumatizing and dangerous. She has been physically attacked and sexually assaulted during her two years on the street. Sweeps of homeless camps make her life even less stable. Continued on page 8 May 2024 DENVER VOICE 7 “I HAVEN’T SEEN ANY CASE MANAGEMENT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT OFFERED TO ME,” SAID LAUREN BB. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN
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