The September Salon

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You can’t read the news in Colorado today without running across a headline like this one: “Sharp rise in homelessness across metro Denver area.” Mayor Mike Johnston has pledged to house 1,000 people before the end of the year. Amidst all of these headlines and proposals, something gets lost: the people. The Denver Press Club presents its September Salon: “People, Policy, & Perspective: Homelessness in Colorado.” Moderated by Kelly Brough, this discussion will offer you a real-time understanding of the current situation, an opportunity to meet formerly homeless Denverites, and the chance to discuss the tough questions about how we solve this crisis as a community.

Resources:

The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates there were 582,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2022, an increase of roughly 2,000 from 2020. HUD’s definition includes both sheltered and unsheltered people. By race, Pacific Islanders, Black Americans, and Native Americans have the highest proportions of homeless people. 24% of all homeless identify as Hispanic, and veterans also have a slightly higher representation than the average population (20 per 10,000). In 2022, 60% of homeless people were men, 38% were women, and 1% identified as transgender, nonbinary, or questioning. The District of Columbia, California, Oregon, and Vermont have the highest per capita homeless populations. Colorado is number 13 on the list. Generally, speaking, higher home prices directly correlate to a higher percentage of homelessness. Washington, D.C., with median home value of nearly $700,000 has 65 homeless people per 10,000 residents. Colorado, which has a median home price of $466,000, has a homeless population of 17.6 per 10,000.

• Westword’s History of Homelessness in Denver
• Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
• How Houston Moved 25,000 People from the Streets into Their Own Homes (NYT Magazine)