Denver’s Homeless Give City Leaders an Earful

In a dramatic display of disillusionment, several homeless individuals took to the microphone at this week’s Denver City Council meeting to express their rage at Mayor Mike Johnston’s plan to house a thousand individuals before the end of the year.

During the limited public comment period, speaker Ana Gloom made it clear that the mayor’s promises of stopping sweeps and prioritizing public health were empty lies. Gloom pointed out that instead of providing real solutions, the city has only intensified its sweeps and has resorted to using intimidating police tactics to displace encampment residents.

Gloom went on to slam the so-called “sheltering” program, House1000, as nothing more than a temporary band-aid. She insisted that real housing is having a place to call one’s own, not just a roof over one’s head.

Other speakers echoed Gloom’s sentiments, calling out the deplorable living conditions at the former Best Western Park Hill, now known as New Directions. They reported random room checks, no visitation rights, and a strict no-drug policy, which they believe contributes to the already dire circumstances of being homeless.

Gloom demanded that the mayor’s office create an ombudsman role to listen to the grievances of the “unhoused community” and called for an audit of homeless service providers and shelter sites. She urged the council to remember that the homeless are human beings with stories and experiences, not just statistics to be ignored.

Adding fuel to the fire, multiple individuals also called for an end to the city’s partnership with the Salvation Army, claiming that their employees are not qualified to handle the complex needs of the homeless community.

In a passionate plea, Mary Ann Thompson slammed the idea of “soft sweeps” of smaller encampments, stating that this is not about tacos but about the lives of human beings. She accused the mayor’s House1000 initiative of being a sham, declaring that a key and a place with one’s name on it is true housing.

Another speaker, Andy Reed, emphasized the pervasive mental health crises and overdoses among the homeless population and praised the city for making the opioid overdose antidote, Narcan, widely available. However, he also pointed out the deeper issues at play, such as lack of identification and job opportunities for those without a stable home.

The raw and emotional testimonies of the homeless community at this council meeting shed light on the harsh reality of being homeless in Denver. As the city continues to make superficial efforts to address the crisis, it is clear that the needs of the homeless, mentally ill, and addicted are not being adequately met. The time for action and real solutions is long overdue.