The city of Denver is scaling back its migrant shelter services and asking local landlords to rent apartments to migrants in need of housing, as it looks to reduce costs and reallocate funds amid a budget deficit.
The mayor announced cuts to shelters that will be shut down or consolidated.
“We put out a feeler to all the landlords we have connections with,” Ewing said. “Basically said, listen, we’re going to have some newcomers who are going to need housing.”
City officials have contacted property owners seeking those willing to rent to migrants for up to $2,000, and non-profits are connecting migrants with various housing options.
“We’ve got kind of a rent cap — $2,000,” Ewing said.
This has reduced shelter populations from a high of 4,500 in January to under 1,800 now.
Officials say getting over 1,300 migrants work permits has helped them afford accommodation.
“We’re at below 1,800 right now, which is the first time that number’s been that low since September,” Ewing said.
“A lot of those posts have now been replaced by, hey, I now need to furnish my apartment, what do I do? And so it’s a good problem to have when that’s what you’re running into,” Ewing said.
“1,300 people right now, over the last two weeks or so, that we’ve been able to help get their work permits,” Ewing said. “That’s a huge step.”
The moves come as Denver struggles to support a growing number of arrivals and cope with costs that some estimate could reach $180 million, exacerbating strains on its health system.
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