Family shelter is in short supply in Denver, and lawmakers and nonprofits are working for a fix.
Denver City Council added more than $600,000 to a contract with the Denver Rescue Mission to build an additional 20 units for families in need of housing at The Crossing, in Northeast Park Hill off Smith Road.
In all, The Crossing will have 30 units of non-congregate family shelter. The council approved a contract with a new total value of just over $2 million.
The Crossing offers shelter space, case management and wraparound support for families.
Families also get help finding long-term housing and can learn financial skills. They receive education and employment support, programming for kids, and, if needed, mental health support and other services, a funding application stated.
“Services are delivered utilizing trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and Housing First strategies to support long-term housing stability,” the application read.
In the short term, some of the new units will replace other ones at the Salvation Army’s Lambuth Family Shelter, which will be temporarily shuttered for renovations. That facility can host 20 families at a time.
