Freezing temps show the reality of a shortage of beds for the homeless community in Denver. Over the years, homeless individuals have routinely chosen to sleep outside, especially during warm weather months. Some people do not feel comfortable or safe in shelters due to mental illness and other reasons; others like the freedom of not having to report to a shelter at a specific time.
Also, there are not enough beds, cots, and mats in the various shelters for every homeless person to be able to have one on any given night. In looking at the number of individuals experiencing homelessness, the “Point in Time Study” sponsored by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative reported that over 10,000 homeless individuals live in our city. In contrast, there are barely over 1,000 emergency shelter beds available. These beds are seasonally supplemented by a few hundred more in the winter months – still way below the need. So, where should a person who is experiencing homelessness sleep?
During the recent cold weather, Denver Rescue Mission (meaning the Lawrence shelter) filled their dorm, both chapels, the hallways, and the dining room. We know this from talking to the staff of the shelter and various homeless individuals who use the shelter.
Without going into great detail, let me say that there are 200 beds upstairs (the dorm), and just over 100 mats that the shelter uses in the chapels and hallways of its main floor.
Once those fill up, if it is super-cold outside, the staff will allow people to sleep on the tile floor of the dining room. They don’t have mats for that space and may or may not have blankets. Last year I slept in the dining room once. I was given one or two sheets, that’s it. Thankfully, I carried a blanket with me at the time and slept on that.
When the camping ban was voted into effect, there was talk about creating more sleeping space in the shelters. This has happened on a small scale, but it isn’t enough. And that doesn’t take into consideration the people who won’t go to shelters.
Even with all of the documentation, it seems that politicians and other city officials want to gloss over the facts and tell the general public that the city has a handle on the problem of homelessness. While there have been improvements in some areas, there is still a lot to be done in servicing the homeless population of the Denver Metropolitan area.
This is why Denver Homeless Out Loud exists. We aim to be a voice for the homeless community. Everyone needs to be made aware that there are not enough beds, and we need to create solutions to this ongoing situation.
Also, there are not enough beds, cots, and mats in the various shelters for every homeless person to be able to have one on any given night. In looking at the number of individuals experiencing homelessness, the “Point in Time Study” sponsored by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative reported that over 10,000 homeless individuals live in our city. In contrast, there are barely over 1,000 emergency shelter beds available. These beds are seasonally supplemented by a few hundred more in the winter months – still way below the need. So, where should a person who is experiencing homelessness sleep?
During the recent cold weather, Denver Rescue Mission (meaning the Lawrence shelter) filled their dorm, both chapels, the hallways, and the dining room. We know this from talking to the staff of the shelter and various homeless individuals who use the shelter.
Without going into great detail, let me say that there are 200 beds upstairs (the dorm), and just over 100 mats that the shelter uses in the chapels and hallways of its main floor.
Once those fill up, if it is super-cold outside, the staff will allow people to sleep on the tile floor of the dining room. They don’t have mats for that space and may or may not have blankets. Last year I slept in the dining room once. I was given one or two sheets, that’s it. Thankfully, I carried a blanket with me at the time and slept on that.
When the camping ban was voted into effect, there was talk about creating more sleeping space in the shelters. This has happened on a small scale, but it isn’t enough. And that doesn’t take into consideration the people who won’t go to shelters.
Even with all of the documentation, it seems that politicians and other city officials want to gloss over the facts and tell the general public that the city has a handle on the problem of homelessness. While there have been improvements in some areas, there is still a lot to be done in servicing the homeless population of the Denver Metropolitan area.
This is why Denver Homeless Out Loud exists. We aim to be a voice for the homeless community. Everyone needs to be made aware that there are not enough beds, and we need to create solutions to this ongoing situation.
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