Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, has recently made the decision to reduce funding for a program that provides homeless individuals with a safe place to sleep at night. This decision comes despite the fact that the nonprofit organization running the program was awarded over half a million dollars to expand just six months prior.
This move is a significant departure from the previous efforts of his predecessor, Mayor Michael Hancock, who in 2023 had worked to double the number of safe parking sites in the city. As a result, thousands of people, including undocumented immigrants, are now struggling to find a place to sleep at night.
Service providers have reported that the funding cuts have put many individuals in dire financial situations, with some relying on their cars as their only shelter. The Colorado Safe Parking Initiative, a nonprofit organization that provides safe parking lots for individuals in need, has expressed concern about the impact of the funding cuts on their ability to support those in need.
Despite concerns about questionable spending and reporting, the organization has been working with the city to address these issues. The original contract to increase the number of overnight parking sites was approved through 2025, but Johnston’s decision to scale back funding has forced the organization to make cuts, including the elimination of a part-time position.
Johnston’s administration is facing multiple challenges, including a growing population of illegal immigrants and a homelessness crisis in the city. Despite these challenges, Johnston has pledged to allocate significant funds towards addressing homelessness and has proposed plans to get 1,000 homeless individuals into shelters by utilizing former hotels and creating “micro communities.”
Johnston, who took office in July 2023, has committed to addressing the homelessness crisis in his first term as mayor.
