Diana DeGette Seeks Additional Funding for Multiple Denver-Area Projects

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette has requested additional funding for Denver-area community projects, making affordable housing, food, and essential health services available to those in need. This request follows the receipt of $13.3 million secured by DeGette earlier this year, earmarked for creating more housing for those experiencing homelessness and making more essential health services available to those in Denver’s underserved communities.

In all, the total funding amounts to $40.4 million designated for 15 total projects. Low-income populations are more likely to be denied essential medical care and have trouble locating affordable housing and transportation options.

“There are a lot of people in our community who are struggling to make ends meet,” DeGette says.

DeGette submitted her request for funding to the House Appropriations Committee late last month. The panel will review the requests and determine which projects to fund as part of the government’s Fiscal Year 2023 spending bill.

Take a closer look at the funding requests and what services they would provide to the Denver area:

Projects Impacting Affordable Housing

DeGette requested $4 million to allow Warren Village to build an additional 74 apartments designated for low-income, single-parent families in southwest Denver who are having difficulty making ends meet. Five million dollars would go to Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to help fund the purchase of the Clarion Hotel and convert it to housing for those experiencing homelessness in the Denver area, and $1 million would be earmarked for to help build six new single-family homes in Villa Park.

Finally, $413,940 would enable Urban Peak to provide continuing service while they build a new shelter for homeless youth. Once complete, the shelter will provide housing and supportive services to more than 135 homeless youth in the Denver area.

Food Assistance

DeGette requested $3.2 million to expand two local food pantries and assist with the purchase of new equipment to extend the reach of those they serve. Of that, $1.2 million would go to Food Bank of the Rockies to purchase additional coolers and freezers for its Montbello headquarters. More safely refrigerated and frozen meat, dairy, and fresh produce would then be available to Denver families in need.

The remaining $2 million would go to the We Don’t Waste organization would help them acquire additional space to augment their food-recovery efforts which helps to feed low-income families throughout Denver. At the same time, food-recovery helps divert millions of pounds of food waste from our local landfills.

Social Services Support

Upon approval, $3.4 million would be allocated to help the city and county of Denver to build a new 10,000-square-foot youth center at the Central Library helping youth access technology and support programs. Two million dollars would go to Servicios de La Raza to create a community center designed to serve low-income residents in Barnum. When built, the new center would provide workforce development training, financial literacy, and other wraparound services addressing equity gaps and social determinants of health.

Expanding Essential Health Services

 A $1 million funding allocation for the Tennyson Center for Children will ensure completion of the center’s new mental health treatment center in north Denver. The center will focus on addressing urgent, unmet mental health needs of vulnerable, low-income children with intellectual and developmental disabilities; $165,688 will enable the Inner City Health Center to replace heavily used equipment in its medical and dental clinics.

These North Denver clinics provide essential services to those living in underserved communities. Finally, $3.2 million would go to Denver Health to establish programs for oral health and imaging services in some of Denver’s underserved communities.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Five million dollars would assist the City and County of Denver to fund the ongoing revitalization of the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall and Transitway. Two million dollars, for the City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action Sustainability and Resilience, would be spent to electrify space and water heaters in 100 affordable multifamily apartment units, increasing their energy efficiency. Additionally, $3.1 million would go to Denver International Airport to continue the renovation and security upgrade of the Great Hall.

The funds would be specifically used to purchase enhanced Advanced imaging Technology (eAIT) body scanners to provide the highest level of safety and security as growth continues toward an estimated 100 million passengers within the decade. Seven million dollars would go to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) to replace existing rail switches, concrete flatwork, and items associated with rail alignment along the Central Corridor operating through the downtown Denver area.

DeGette emphasizes, “Getting these projects funded will help us make more food, housing, and medical care available to those in need—and more importantly, they will provide a critical lifeline to those who need our help the most.”

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