Denver residents, councilmembers insist $17.5 million for rental assistance will prevent homelessness
The majority of people who spoke on Denver's proposed spending plan during Monday's council meeting praised councilmembers' push to earmark $17.5 million for the city’s rental assistance program, saying the latter helps to prevent homelessness.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston did not budge on his $12.6 million budget request when the council asked for additional funding. The council proposed to Johnston $17.5 million, $5.1 million more than his original plan to fund the emergency rental program in his proposed budget.
But a mayor's spokesperson late on Tuesday said Johnston added $3 million to the program — for a total of $15.6 million.
The residents who showed up to the meeting mentioned the program and how they believe it would positively affect those who are dealing with the city's lack of affordable housing.
They said difficulties in making rent payments is a leading cause of Denver's homelessness and urged the council to fund the city’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program.