Controversy continues over Denver’s camping ban, focus on homeless LGBT youth

Though services for the homeless community have increased since Denver’s camping ordinance went into effect last May, critics and supporters alike cite significant shortfalls for LGBT youth experiencing homelessness.

The Denver City Council passed an ordinance last May, nine to four, to prohibit camping of any kind on public or private property in Denver. Those who violate the ban are asked to move along, find shelter, or face arrest.

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program was one of several organizations that protested the ordinance, arguing the ban would criminalize homelessness.

“What we see is people being given tickets or being arrested for survival crimes, things like peeing in public, sleeping in public, or sex work if young people are trying to get by,” said Eleanor Dewey, Director of Youth Organizing and Co-Executive Director for CAVP.

She said that homeless individuals found camping are rarely presented with alternatives. “In my experience hearing from youth, they never get offered services or connected with any outreach workers. It’s mostly a verbal warning and their IDs are run.”

Despite an increase in the number of shelter beds available since last May, Dewey said it’s still a challenge for the homeless to find adequate shelter as an alternative to sleeping on the streets.

“We’re always struggling to find open beds for people, especially shelters that are safe for LGBTQ people. And 9 times out of 10, all of the beds are taken,” she said.

Additionally, some shelters don’t take in transgender individuals, or refuse to house them with the gender they identify with, Dewey said.

Denver Homeless Out Loud, or DHOL, a community partnership studying the impact of the ordinance, released a survey of 512 homeless individuals, 63 percent of whom reported shelters are more crowded and more difficult to access than last year. Additionally, 73 percent reported frequently being turned away, while 83 percent cited police ordered them to move along without offering alternative services.

And Dewey said that even when beds are available, many LGBTQ homeless youth feel safer camping outside.

“Some decide not to stay in a shelter because of the fear of violence or harassment, especially with transgender folks who are experiencing homelessness,” she said. “We haven’t seen any kind of movement from council members or from the city to really make significant changes for the better.”

But Denver City Councilman Albus Brooks, who represents District 8 and voted for the ban, said that the city has taken steps to address the issue.

“I would say that’s not entirely true,” Brooks said. “We have been working to support Urban Peak in their efforts to continue to work with the LGBT community.”

Urban Peak is a nonprofit organization that works exclusively with Denver’s homeless youth.

“We are definitely serving more youth then we have ever served before,” said Chris Venable, who works in Education, Employment, and Outreach at Urban Peak.

The nonprofit served 2,550 youth in the 2012 fiscal year, the most since it opened in 1988. Almost 19 percent identified themselves as LGB, and approximately 10 of the 2,550 identified themselves as transgender.

Brooks reiterated Denver has added 300 new shelter beds since last May, bringing the total to more than 1,500. Additionally, Denver’s shelter program has seen an investment of $1.3 million this year.

“For the first time in history, we’re taking tax increment financing dollars from our downtown district and investing that into a day facility in our downtown area,” Brooks said. “It is excellent work that (DHOL) was able to hear directly from homeless individuals and hear their issues.  The one thing that wasn’t on the survey is a cross-reference with the homeless providers and the police department, so there were some inaccuracies.”

Brooks said that Denver is one of the only jurisdictions with dedicated officers for the homeless community.

“We have documentation of each of our Homeless Outreach Team Officers referring hundreds of individuals per quarter to services and even job opportunities,” he said.

But Brooks agreed LGBT homeless youth continue to be one of the most vulnerable homeless populations.

“Facilities, for whatever reason, have a conflict with LGBTQ young people,” Brooks said. “It’s really sad, but we’re working on other options. LGBT individuals are eligible for our voucher program, and Urban Peak has just been wonderful in allowing individuals to be a part of that.”

Urban Peak manages several housing facilities and drop-in shelters with areas dedicated to accommodate the needs of LGBT youth. “We have one specific case manager and other staff members who specialize in working with and trying to find resources for the LGBT population,” Venable said, adding that Urban Peak would not be possible without the city’s help.

“We couldn’t do what we do without the support from the businesses, from Councilman Brooks, and from the city in general,” he said. “At the same time, the camping ban is making the work that we’re trying to do to help the people who need help more difficult.”

Venable noted that many of Urban Peak’s clients didn’t choose to be where they are.

“Whether they’ve been kicked out of their family because of their sexual orientation or gender preference, or they have a substance abuse issue or a mental health issue, the folks we work with experience multiple instances of trauma and abuse at a much higher rate than folks who are not experiencing homelessness,” he said.

“The biggest complaint that we hear about the camping ban is ‘why can’t they just leave us alone? Why can’t they let us be?’”