Denver to spend $10M on bathrooms for homeless

The Denver Parks department's plan to spend $10 million on prefabricated toilets with drinking fountains has raised concerns about wasteful spending and misplaced priorities.

According to a survey conducted by Regis University and the University of Denver on behalf of Housekeys Action Network Denver, a significant percentage of people experiencing homelessness in Denver lack access to proper restroom facilities and drinking water.

The survey revealed that 82% of individuals did not have a restroom within a two-block radius of their homeless encampment, and more than two-thirds lacked access to drinking water nearby. According to activists, these findings highlight the dire need for improved infrastructure to address the basic needs of the homeless population.

However, the proposed $10 million purchase of prefabricated toilets from Green Flush Technologies LLC raises eyebrows.

The contract includes small, medium, and large restrooms, each equipped with water closets, sinks, hand dryers, and ADA-accessible drinking fountains. While the intention to provide facilities for the homeless is noble, the cost seems excessive for what essentially amounts to portable restrooms enabling these tent communities to continue to thrive in downtown Denver.

Furthermore, the survey also revealed several issues with existing public restroom facilities in Denver.

Many park toilets were closed or non-functioning during normal weekday hours, and porta potties were often unclean and lacked essential amenities such as toilet seats, doors, locks, and toilet paper. In addition, the lack of soap, water, and hand sanitizers in these facilities raises concerns about hygiene and public health.

The survey, according to it’s designers, also highlighted gender-related issues, with women, transgender, and gender nonconforming individuals facing additional barriers when accessing toilets. The lack of functioning locks in open bathrooms puts their safety at risk, and the absence of gender-neutral bathrooms in permanent facilities further exacerbates the problem.

The survey reported instances of sexual assault occurring in porta potties at night.

According to the office of Denver’s Mayor, while addressing the restroom needs of the homeless population is crucial, it is also essential to ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely and efficiently. The exorbitant cost of these prefabricated toilets raises questions about alternative and more cost-effective solutions.

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Additionally, according to the city, greater attention should be paid to improving existing restroom facilities, addressing issues of cleanliness, maintenance, and safety for all individuals, regardless of gender.

As the Denver City Council prepares to vote on this $10 million expenditure, it is crucial that they carefully consider the necessity, cost-effectiveness, and long-term viability of these proposed facilities.