Denver's First Micro-Community: A Controversial Solution to the Homelessness Crisis
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced plans for the city's first micro-community to house homeless individuals. However, this proposed solution has already sparked controversy among nearby residents.
The micro-community, which will be located along South Santa Fe Drive, is set to house 120 homeless and provide them with shelter, services, and resources. The mayor's office claims that the site was "carefully chosen" to meet the specific needs of its future residents.
“This weekend we informed the neighboring community that we will soon break ground at 2301 S. Santa Fe Dr. This future micro-community will help get unhoused neighbors off the street & into safe, stable, supportive transitional housing while helping us close unsafe encampments,” @MikeJohnstonCO.
This is just one of the strategies implemented by Johnston to combat homelessness in the city. The goal is to provide temporary housing for homeless individuals while they work towards finding more permanent and affordable solutions. However, the use of micro-communities has drawn criticism from some residents.
Eleven other sites were proposed for micro-communities, and many of the surrounding neighborhoods have expressed concerns about issues such as traffic, health, crime, and quality of life. However, for the residents living near South Santa Fe Drive, the main concern is safety.
According to nearby resident Daniel Reiling, the proposed site was once a toxic waste dump. The area became subject to controversy in the 1980s and 1990s when radioactive material was allowed to be disposed of on-site. Despite these concerns, the Colorado Department of Transportation currently owns the plot of land.
The forthcoming groundbreaking marks a significant step in Johnston’s push, backed by an emergency declaration, to get 1,000 people off the street and into housing or temporary shelter before the end of this year. (@MikeJohnstonCO)
At Sunday's neighborhood meeting, residents were able to voice their concerns to officials. Reiling, who has a degree in architecture and has worked in the real estate industry, believes that the mayor did not fully explore all options before choosing this site for the micro-community.
Johnston, however, has defended the decision, stating that the community has been "active partners" in the process. He also expressed the importance of ensuring safety for both the residents and the surrounding neighborhood.
One resident, Estancia Montoya, lives just a few blocks away from the proposed site and stated that 70 letters were sent opposing the micro-community. She shares the sentiments of her neighbors, stating that they are still preparing to fight against the decision.
Administration officials emphasized Monday that the site was carefully vetted on criteria that included fire safety, risks to public health and traffic impacts. (@MikeJohnstonCO)
The mayor's office has stressed that each site undergoes rigorous environmental, safety, and zoning assessments. They also plan to continue working with the community to identify suitable locations for future micro-communities.
While the mayor's goal to house 1,000 homeless individuals by the end of the year is commendable, some believe that more consideration should have been given to the concerns and safety of the surrounding neighborhoods. As this first micro-community breaks ground, only time will tell if it truly is the best solution for Denver's homelessness crisis
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