DENVER — Mayor Mike Johnston has promised to move one thousand people off the streets and into hotels or micro-communities by the end of the year – but that is just one step toward a solution.
The next step is to find these residents permanent housing.
On Wednesday, the city will propose a $4 million contract between the Department of Housing Stability and the Salvation Army to find people permanent housing after moving into one of Denver's non-congregate shelters like a hotel.
"Our goal is that we can move people as quickly as possible," said Kristen Baluyot, Denver metro social services director for the Salvation Army.
The proposed contract would support the Transformational Rapid-Rehousing program. A case manager would provide assistance with documents and help people find employment. The rehousing team would find affordable units and then provide wrap-around support services once they are in permanent housing to help them stay housed.
Salvation Army already offers Rapid-Rehousing services in the city at its traditional shelters. Baluyot said they have housed 400 people over the last two years, and most have stayed housed.
Dozens of people are moving into micro-communities, like hotels, as the city cleans up homeless encampments. The proposal before city council members serve 200 households who have been referred to one of the city's non-congregate shelters.
"Our goal is to have 100 people enrolled in the program by the end of December and 50 people housed by the end of December," said Baluyot.
This work isn't cheap. Baluyot said it costs more than $10,000 to help one person for a year.
"The rent assistance, it's first month rent, a deposit, sometimes it's a few months deposit because of the security risk that some folks are viewed as," she said.
Salvation Army has already identified people who will qualify for the program. The proposal will be introduced to a city council committee Wednesday.
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