City officials in Denver, Colorado, recently sent an email to property owners urging them to: rent their house to illegal immigrants, KDVR It was reported on Wednesday.
The city is looking for alternative housing options for immigrant “newcomers” after revealing plans to close four shelters as part of a state of emergency. “Integration” plan This will reportedly save Denver taxpayers $60 million.
On February 28, the city announced that it would “consolidate new shelter operations from seven hotels to three hotels by early April as part of the city’s strategy to move newcomers out of shelters and into stable locations.” Announced. Residents of shelters scheduled for closure will be “relocated to other facilities or stable housing,” according to the city of Denver.
The city has promised to “double down” on case management while shelters are closed. The city of Denver is working with nonprofit organizations to help undocumented immigrants find alternative housing and jobs.
Mayor Mike Johnston (D) said Denver was previously expected to spend $180 million on immigration services next year, but the new plan reduces that cost to $120 million. Colorado Sun report. Further reductions are expected. The mayor says closing the shelter is a “major turning point.”
“This is a huge step forward,” Johnston said. “I think there’s still work to be done.”
John Ewing of Denver Human Services recently said the city is relying on property owners to provide more stable accommodations for migrants.
“We reached out to all the landlords we had connections with,” Ewing said. “Basically what we’re saying is, listen, we’ve got some newcomers who need housing.”
He said the “rent cap” is $2,000 a month.
“Nonprofits are already providing housing of all types to people throughout Denver,” Ewing said.
Approximately 4,500 migrants used the city’s shelter system in January. The current population is less than 1,800 individuals, Ewing said, noting that number hasn’t been that low since September. Individuals can stay in the city’s shelter system for up to 14 days, and families with children can stay for up to 42 days.
Approximately 40,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Denver in the past year. It’s unclear how many of those arriving in the city choose to stay, but Johnston estimates about 40% to 60% will continue their journey by bus to other destinations.
“You know, there are a lot of people who arrive in Denver with no intention of coming to Denver,” he said. “They had just been put on a bus, and this was their first stop. And with the amount of immigrants that Denver is accepting, and the job and housing availability that existed six months ago, it’s not what it is now. We’re seeing more and more people realize that it’s gone.”
Ewing predicts that immigrants will be able to pay their own rent once they receive work permits.
“In the past two weeks or so, we’ve now been able to help 1,300 people obtain work permits,” he told KDVR. “That’s a big step.”
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