DENVER — Denver City Council on Monday night extended Mayor Mike Johnston's homelessness emergency declaration to the end of the year.
After more than an hour of debate, the council approved the extension with a 10-3 vote.
Johnston declared the state of emergency in mid-July, the day after he was inaugurated. The Denver Gazette reports this is the fourth time city council has extended it.
The goal of the emergency declaration is to get 1,000 people who are currently experiencing homelessness into housing by the end of the year. So far, the city says they have moved 272 people into shelter.
The declaration is meant to give Denver access to state and federal grant money, and help speed up permitting to create new shelters. It also activates the emergency operations center.
Monday's vote extends the emergency until Dec. 31. The mayor's office has told 9NEWS they don't plan to ask for another extension.
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