Committee advances homelessness CCR; day-labor pilot sent to Economic & Workforce Development Committee

Mark Carmona, chief housing officer and director of the Homeless Services and Strategy Department, presented a council consideration request on Nov. 7 asking the city to evaluate strategies to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. Carmona said the department would lead a long-term shelter and housing strategy and that the CCR asks staff to evaluate feasibility of a very low- or no-barrier shelter, pilot a day-labor employment program modeled on Denver Day Works, and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of existing city investments in encampment abatement, rental assistance and related services.

Carmona said the city manager created the new Homeless Services and Strategy Department effective Oct. 1 and described the CCR as aligned with the department’s goals to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness through data-driven planning and partnerships. A former councilmember who addressed the committee during the presentation noted the 2024 point-in-time count showed a 6.8 percent increase over the previous year and emphasized that chronically unhoused residents often distrust systems and need tailored, trust-building approaches rather than one-size-fits-all responses.

On the day-labor model, Carmona and other speakers referenced Denver Day Works as an example. Carmona summarized its intent as helping participants earn income and reconnect with purpose: "It's dignity, not dependency," he said, describing day-paid city jobs as a way for people to earn immediate wages and potentially move into longer-term employment or housing pathways. Council members identified local partners that could support a pilot—Centro, Goodwill, SAM Ministries and Workforce Solutions Alamo—and discussed operational needs such as transportation, bank-account access and supportive services.

Staff recommended referring the CCR to the Planning & Community Development Committee for incorporation into broader housing strategy work; the committee also agreed to send the day-labor program element to the Economic & Workforce Development Committee so that it could be considered on a faster timeline. Members approved the referral by voice vote. Carmona said the department will coordinate the proposed cost-benefit analysis with the Office of Management and Budget.

No ordinance or appropriation was adopted; the committee advanced the CCRs to committee workstreams for further study and development.