Denver Leaders Announce Plans to Construct New Homeless Youth Shelter

Colorado Representative Diana DeGette and Urban Peak CEO Christina Carlson announced plans this week to build a new shelter for youth experiencing homelessness in the Denver area, according to a press release from DeGette’s office.

DeGette made the announcement after successfully securing $3 million in federal funding for the project as part of legislation Congress approved last week. The head of Urban Peak said, with this in mind, it plans to begin construction on the facility this fall at a press conference on Monday. It’s located at 1630 S. Acoma St. in Platt Park.

The pending shelter in South Denver is one of 10 Denver-area projects DeGette secured funding for as part of this year’s government funding bill. She said her focus on these projects was informed by the community’s most urgent needs, including providing more support to folks without houses.

“Every single one of us should have an affordable place live,” DeGette says, “and every single one of us needs to work to make sure that happens. We know these funds will not solve all the problems that we have (and) there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but all of these little projects together help to create a web of support for the most vulnerable in our community.”

Carlson praised DeGette for her advocacy and efforts in getting the funding approved, calling her an “amazing advocate” in Washington for the people of Denver, “specifically for addressing the current crisis we see on our streets tied to affordable housing. Her tenacity about getting (this funding) across the finish line was just amazing,” Carlson says.

Carlson adds that the funding will lead to a “transformational” new campus in Denver, where youth experiencing homelessness can find refuge and have the opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency and success. Once the shelter is complete, it will be able to house 136 youth ages 15 to 24. The facility will also provide a wide range of integrated, in-house support services including education, employment, medical, and mental health services.

Watch the full press conference here:

Photo courtesy of Diana DeGette’s Office