Denver has made a significant stride in combatting homelessness among veterans, with Mayor Mike Johnston announcing a milestone achievement. In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other partners, the city has effectively ended the cycle of street homelessness for veterans. Now, each veteran in Denver has access to a secure, stable, and private sleeping place after extensive efforts to identify and support these individuals, as reported by the Mayor's Office.
More than 100 veterans have been helped off the streets since the initiative began. Currently, out of the 18 veterans still outdoors, 12 are engaged with services, and six have a warm place waiting when they're ready. "We are incredibly proud to announce that Denver has ended the cycle of street homelessness for our veterans," said Johnston, as per the Mayor's Office, "That means, for the first time ever no veteran has to sleep on the streets in Denver." The success is credited to Denver's system which can now resolve homelessness for veterans on the same day they seek assistance.
The program credited with this turnaround is the All In Mile High initiative, which serves as a safety net for veterans at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. Missy Mish, Section Chief for the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Homeless Programs, recognized the initiative's impact, noting that "The All In Mile High initiative has proven to be a game-changer for veterans in the Denver area," according to a statement by Mish.
Expressing the personal impact of these efforts, Navy veteran Brian Asbeck shared, "After months of hardship, I turned to the VA for help and was introduced to transformative programs." Asbeck's testimony was a vivid illustration of the success behind the city's initiative, with other veterans likely echoing similar sentiments of gratitude and relief. "The City of Denver, the Mayor, the VA Medical Center, and VFW Post 1's dedication to helping veterans like me has been nothing short of life-saving," Asbeck said, as obtained by the Mayor's Office.
Since the proclamation of a State of Emergency by Mayor Johnston in July 2023, over 2,200 people experiencing homelessness have been aided, with 857 securing permanent housing. Denver's systematic response, praised by Melanie Lewis Dickerson of Community Solutions, demonstrates that homelessness, with the correct approach and resources, can be systematically addressed and resolved. "Denver is proving that homelessness is solvable," said Dickerson, reflecting on the accomplishments and the inter-agency cooperation that led to this landmark achievement.
