Denver's Homeless Deaths Reach Record High Under Failed Liberal Policies

Denver has set a record for homeless deaths, highlighting the failure of liberal progressive policies implemented by Denver Democrats.

Despite Mayor Mike Johnston declaring a state of emergency on homelessness and promising to reduce the unsheltered population, the number of deaths among the homeless has reached unprecedented levels.

City officials and organizations that serve the unsheltered reported that at least 311 homeless people died in Denver last year, surpassing any previous year.

The causes of death varied, with drug overdoses being the leading cause, followed by infectious diseases, environmental exposure, and blunt force trauma. In the previous year, 263 homeless individuals lost their lives, according to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

Mayor Johnston's efforts to address the issue of homelessness mirror those of other liberal mayors, such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Both campaigned on significantly reducing the number of people living on the streets and declared a state of emergency upon taking office. However, their plans have yielded mixed results. In Los Angeles, an estimated 46,000 people still reside in tent encampments each night.

Proponents of Johnston's plan argue that housing 1,000 unsheltered residents within his first few months in office and another 1,000 by the end of the year could help reduce deaths related to the rise in deadly street drugs like fentanyl.

The mayor's plan includes addiction and mental health counseling, job training, and other services aimed at providing stability to those experiencing homelessness.

Although Johnston, a Democrat, has managed to secure transitional housing for 1,135, at an exorbitant cost, unsheltered residents during his six months in office, doubts linger about his ability to find permanent solutions. Soaring housing prices and a dwindling inventory of affordable housing pose significant challenges. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Denver has decreased by 21% from 2023 to 2024, amounting to $1,656 per month, according to apartments.com.

During the annual point-in-time tally on January 30, 2023, a total of 1,423 people were recorded as homeless on the streets of Denver.

However, advocacy groups estimate that the homeless population could be as high as 8,000 when accounting for individuals living with family or friends, as well as those in shelters and group homes. Mayor Johnston has set a goal of housing at least 2,000 people by the end of the year.

Notably, these figures do not include the estimated 36,000 migrants who have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and have either traveled to Denver independently or were bussed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Governor Abbott, a Republican, began sending migrants to so-called sanctuary cities due to overwhelming numbers in his state. Denver is among the many self-declared sanctuary cities and counties in the U.S. whose laws protect migrants from deportation or prosecution.

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• DENVER’S MAYOR WON’T CUT SALARIES OR RAISES BUT WILL CUT CITY SERVICES TO FUND DENVER’S MIGRANT RESPONSE

• HOMELESSNESS SURGES IN AMERICA'S LARGEST CITIES, COLORADO FACES ALARMING CRISIS

• SHOCKING TREATMENT OF WOMEN AT DENVER HOMELESS SHELTER SPARKS OUTRAGE

Denver's migrant population is one of the largest in the country, and the city allocated $32 million last year to provide housing, food, and services to migrants. This year, the projected expenditure is expected to reach $180 million, according to Mayor Johnston.

The record number of homeless deaths in Denver serves as a stark reminder of the failure of liberal progressive policies implemented by Denver Democrats. Despite grand promises and declarations of emergencies, the situation on the streets remains dire, leaving vulnerable individuals to suffer the consequences.