Denver’s new housing chief wants to address homelessness like this

The Mile High City is facing an increasingly dire housing crisis, much of it of it’s own making, but in an effort to address it, Mayor Mike Johnston has appointed Jamie Rife as the new executive director of the city's housing stability department.

But while Rife's previous role as leader of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative may have given her experience in dealing with homelessness, her plans for Denver's housing crisis have raised eyebrows among critics.

Rife has touted a regional approach to addressing homelessness, claiming that data shows unhoused individuals often travel between different areas within the metro.

This approach raises concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars to solve a regional problem. Should the burden of homelessness in neighboring cities fall on the shoulders of Denver residents?

Furthermore, Rife's lack of specific goals for her office is cause for skepticism.

While she claims to closely follow the housing department's five-year plan, released last month, it remains to be seen if she will truly address the root causes of the housing crisis. Will she prioritize the needs of Denver residents or those who are simply passing through?

Rife also declined to comment directly on the city council's decision to significantly increase funding for emergency rental assistance. This raises questions about her understanding of the city's budget and her ability to effectively allocate resources. While preventing evictions may be a worthy goal, is it the most cost-effective solution in the long run?

READ MORE:

• DOUGCO PRIORITIZE CITIZENS OVER DENVER’S ‘SANCTUARY CITY’ POLICY

• DEATHS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS IN DENVER SURGE 50% SINCE LAST YEAR

• MIGRANTS MOVE TO THE STREETS AFTER TIME AT DENVER SHELTERS EXPIRES

• MAYOR MIKE JOHNSTON WANTS ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TO WORK FOR HOUSING

In her interview with Axios, Rife expressed confidence in Denver's ability to solve the issue of homelessness. However, her optimism may be misguided as the city continues to grapple with rising evictions and homeless deaths.

It's also worth noting that Rife is just the latest in a string of appointments by Mayor Johnston, who has been criticized for a slow start in filling key roles. Some critics are left to ask, are these appointments truly based on qualifications and experience, or are they simply political favors?