AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — A decline in marijuana gross sales is placing a pressure on Aurora nonprofits.
Marijuana gross sales have dropped again to pre-pandemic ranges, and that’s taking thousands and thousands of {dollars} off the desk for Aurora charities that serve the homeless inhabitants. That features help like short-term housing, chilly climate shelters and meal packages.
Organizers instructed FOX31 the state of affairs is partially due to a shortfall in retail marijuana gross sales, that are taxed by town to fund a response to homelessness.
That funding was minimize by greater than half, and if extra funding isn’t supplied, nonprofits can begin seeing providers decreased nearly instantly by Jan. 1.
“I used to be blessed and lucky to get a room,” mentioned Judith Benitez who fell on exhausting occasions.
She’s a resident on the Comitis Disaster Heart on Victor Road. Since Aug. 7, she has been sleeping on the heart.
“Whenever you’re going by means of it, it’s like, how did I get right here? What occurred?” she mentioned.
It’s the final place she would have thought to search out herself, however she’s grateful she has a spot to name dwelling.
“It’s right here on a regular basis, for many who are available with a determined want,” Benitez mentioned.
Anna Miller is the director of enterprise improvement and public relations at Mile Excessive Behavioral Healthcare.
“Now to inform them they could not have a spot to remain, how do you’ve got that dialog?” Miller mentioned.
She worries a couple of lack of funding. She mentioned assets like shelter for residents could vanish
“We serve wherever between 370-450 simply at Comitis Disaster Heart and Aurora Useful resource Heart each day,” she mentioned.
Marijuana gross sales tax, COVID aid funds decline
Marijuana gross sales taxes assist fund the assets. That quantity dropped from $3.9 million to $1.4 million at a time when federal COVID-19 aid funds are additionally drying up.
“It’s heartbreaking, proper? These people actually depend upon us for fundamental residing wants, like shelter, meals, assets, by means of case managers to search out jobs or everlasting housing,” Miller mentioned. “It’s simply heartbreaking with these chilly months coming as much as know providers shall be minimize for folk who depend upon us to outlive.”
Organizers say if extra funding isn’t supplied the company’s seven-day shelter, hours will be decreased. The meals program shall be eradicated, and 18 of the company’s 35 hourly employees could possibly be laid off, hurting the a whole bunch of people that depend upon their providers.
“The concern for our workers — it’s their livelihood as nicely,” Miller mentioned. “They’ve kids and households.”
“Our company right here, that is their dwelling,” Miller mentioned. “That is their household, that is the place they eat. It may all be taken in a blink of an eye fixed.”
Council to resolve on homeless funding
Aurora Metropolis Council met final month to debate the request or funding for his or her homeless service companions. There’s a new presentation scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20.
The anticipation of Monday night time’s assembly consequence worries Benitez.
“That’s the scary half,” she mentioned. “It’s a really actual and scary half. If the assets aren’t there for me and anybody else, what can we do?”
Aurora Metropolis Council members will take a vote on whether or not extra funding shall be handed.
Metropolis leaders instructed FOX31 that whereas they’re anticipating a lower in marijuana tax income, in addition they present different sources of cash relying on the company. That may embody American Rescue Plan Act funds or grants.
