Denver's All In Mile High team outlines 2025 strategy to combat street homelessness

In a recent meeting of the Denver Safety, Housing, Education & Homelessness Committee, city officials outlined a comprehensive strategy to tackle street homelessness in 2025 and beyond. The session, led by Deputy Director Cole Chandler and other key figures from various departments, emphasized Denver's commitment to addressing homelessness through innovative and data-driven approaches.

The meeting highlighted Denver's progress over the past 18 months, positioning the city as a national leader in homelessness response. Chandler noted that over 2,200 individuals have been successfully moved indoors, and the city has effectively eliminated large encampments. This achievement is complemented by a significant reduction in emergency calls related to homelessness, indicating a positive shift in community perception.

A key focus of the discussion was the evolution of strategies to better serve individuals experiencing homelessness. The city plans to shift from a large encampment focus to real-time coordination among agencies to address the needs of individuals on the streets. This includes enhancing intake processes at shelters to ensure that individuals receive tailored support for housing, workforce, and behavioral health services.

Additionally, the committee discussed transitioning investments from short-term shelter solutions to long-term housing initiatives. Notably, the Radisson Hotel, currently serving as a temporary shelter, will close in March, with efforts underway to transition residents into permanent housing.

The meeting also addressed the concerning issue of homelessness-related deaths, reporting 19 fatalities in 2024, with a significant portion attributed to overdoses. However, a 32% reduction in overall deaths among the homeless population from the previous year was noted, reflecting the effectiveness of the city's initiatives.

Looking ahead, the city aims to not only bring individuals indoors but also to ensure that they exit homelessness permanently. The overarching goal remains to eradicate street homelessness in Denver, building on the success achieved with veterans in 2024.

As the committee continues to refine its strategies, the focus will remain on inter-agency collaboration and adapting services to meet the evolving needs of the community. The discussions from this meeting underscore Denver's proactive approach to addressing homelessness, with a clear commitment to improving the lives of its most vulnerable residents.