Like in many other metro areas in the country, homelessness and poverty are spreading to the suburbs in Denver. And like in other suburban areas, homelessness hides better in the suburbs, so services can be scant for a problem that is large.
Yesenia Robles examines the homelessness hiding in the Denver metro area's suburbs. "Overall, there were 11,167 homeless men, women and children counted in the 2013 point-in-time survey conducted by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) across the seven-county Denver metro area," writes Robles.
Moreover, much of the homeless population is made up of families. The distressing statistics: "A county-by-county breakdown of MDHI's 2013 survey shows that families make up the largest percentage of homeless in the suburbs. In Broomfield County, the rate of families among the homeless is 85 percent; in Adams County, 80 percent; 78 percent in Douglas County; and 73 percent in Jefferson County. In Denver, just 50 percent are families with children."
The article details more characteristics of the Denver-area homeless experience as well as some of the programs at work on the problem.
FULL STORY: Homeless families in suburbs not the focused priority for now
January Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
How a tidal wave of potential changes at the federal level could throw many programs planners depend on into chaos, a roundup of last year’s zoning stories, and the continuing ripple effects of a landmark Supreme Court case.
Denver Announces Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot
Residents who have experienced homelessness will receive monthly cash payments to help them find and stay in stable, long-term housing.
Study: Housing First is a Success in Denver
Results from five years of Denver's Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative show that people and communities benefit from a 'Housing First' approach to homelessness.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions