Recent efforts have been made citywide to combat Denver’s growing youth homeless population

The Urban Peak Center, located at 730 21^st, Denver CO. (Photo by Urban Peak)

Over 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness or some sort of home insecurity each year in the United States.

There are countless factors that can contribute to this unfortunate reality, family abuse, parental neglect, gang affiliation, drug or substance use, etc. And so often are these all piled together, and rarely handled properly in the delegating of resources and time.

Read more: Recent efforts have been made citywide to combat Denver’s growing youth homeless population

The city of Denver has been a partner in combatting this issue within their own means with recent efforts. In April of 2021, the city council approved two separate contracts for local organization Urban Peak, totaling $1.6 million in aid.

Urban Peak started over 30 years ago by local citizens who were concerned of the high number of youth living on Denver’s streets, it is the city’s first and only licensed shelter for homeless youth.

According to their site, their mission is, “meeting where they are at and ignite a spark that puts them on a path toward self-determined, fulfilled lives.”

“We’re only providing the platform for these individuals, it’s up to them on how they want to implement it [our resources] into their daily lives.”  Says Joan Winstein, community leader and correspondent of Urban Peak.

One of their drop-in centers on Stout Street has their doors open five days a week, providing more than a place to stay and food on the table, but cleaning and sanitary stations, counseling, and case work management.

Hard to imagine the challenges many of these young individuals face, Urban Peak and other programs provide so much both physical, mentally, and developmentally.

Denver’s homeless population nearly doubling from 2020-2021 due to COVID complications, an estimated 10,870 individuals were counted for to be “unsheltered”, not accessing government support or local organizations. And of those, 952 are youth members.

With numbers as big as one in every 10 young adults, 18-25, have experienced some form of homeless living over the course of a year, about 3.5 million young adults. It was clear that work had to done in every corner of the country, especially in Colorado.  

Clear that this is national problem, different cities take different initiatives at trying to provide the right resources and care.

In Chicago, at any given time there are over 1,500 youth or young adults (18-25), experiencing homelessness. PADS Shelter Program, being the main organization within the city and suburbs, provides overnight shelter and meals for those in need.

Taking turns each night at different shelters throughout the suburbs, individuals are able to be bussed to locations the following morning. While the shelters and homeless population change, most the volunteers stay year after year.

“I think organizations like PADS are essential in the community.” Shares Dar Townsend, volunteer of over 13 years at the local shelter in Libertyville, IL.  Not having to disclose identification or any other information, PADS is a safe space for some of the more vulnerable members of our communities.

“There’s a lot of ways to help out but I think most people are too hesitant to take the initiative to get involved.” Says Townsend.

“I’ve heard dozens of times from people, “I’ve always wanted to do something like that” or words to that affect but so few people actually do anything of the sort.” Chimes in Townsend when reflecting on how the number of volunteers has been dwindling since COVID.

And since COVID, have PADS seen an increase in 18-23 guests and less families. Luckily thanks to gracious donors, a lot of the regular families (with kids as young as 6-9 months) in hotels across Cook County.

“We used to have as many as 75 people show up on any given night, but since COVID our numbers have been around 20-25.”

Now this case of combatting homelessness isn’t all that monument when looking at the national implications and numbers we see, but it is a start.

“There’s certainly more to be done to address homelessness but it’s not just one’s singular responsibility. We in society all need to step up.”

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And we see that attitude here on campus, with University of Denver’s Housing and Homelessness Research programed assisted with “research, program evaluation, data analysis and interpretation, policy analysis and needs assessments.”

Their program, Your Family, Your Neighborhood, works with families living in low-income housing and communities. Aiming to strengthen pre-existing bonds between children and their schools, children and parents, and try to reduce further wrongdoings.

Professor Daniel Brisson, the executive director of the Center for Housing and Homelessness Research, comments on recent efforts by the community and his team regarding housing security and homelessness.

“Homelessness and housing affordability are at crisis levels, both in Denver and in the country as a whole. It’s more than just observing communities, neighborhoods, or the “other”. It is going deeper with elements of activism and optimism to provide the right kind of help.”

“We’re moving one step at a time, thinking with trauma informed design, even the simplest of things such as texture and architecture of the housing in account.”

Aware that many of these individuals who do reside in these housings, could have been exposed to traumatic or uncomfortable experiences in past shelters or say hospitals. Brisson and his team makes sure that these environments are welcoming and safe.

Making sure that these safe spaces are cultivating feelings of familiarity and new possibilities, hoping to create “a warm and soothing environment”.

Another recent project in the works for DU’s Housing and Homelessness Research group, the Denver Basic Income project, a citywide organization that provides a basic income to those experiencing homelessness with, “the goal of building a healthier society grounded in social justice and centered around improving human thriving.”

By pairing up with this organization, the community will be providing “guaranteed basic income” for these people. More clearly, the city will be providing cash, no-strings attached money, to meet basic needs.

This program is still in the works, observing the impact this type of aid will affect homeless individuals.

They have divided their participants into two groups of 260. One group will receive $1,000 a month for 12 months. While the other group of 260, will receive a onetime payment of $6,500 and a consecutive $500 for the following 11 months.

Giving individuals cash with no other requirements, allows them to put their own financial needs, rather than many other programs that decide how and how much someone struggling with poverty can spend their money.

It is evident that this nationwide cannot be solved overnight, but it is essential to make note of the strides by so many citizens who want to help.

If you or someone is experiencing housing insecurity, the following lines are open 24/7 for the Denver area.

Urban Peak mainline: 303.974.2900

Urban Peak shelter: 303.974.2908