DENVER (KDVR) — Inside a packed Hamilton Center College auditorium, tempers flared Saturday as lots of argued over a proposed homeless shelter in southeast Denver.
That shelter, which might serve households, can be situated at what’s at the moment an Embassy Suites resort at 7525 E. Hampden Avenue.
The town has entered into an settlement to buy the resort, which is ready to be voted on by town council on Monday.
“We’re speaking about one, and two, and three, and four-year-olds that we predict we wish to have inside in housing, and never outdoors in tents in 20-degree climate,” stated Mayor Mike Johnston. “I feel that’s a price all of us share.”
Whereas there have been dozens of individuals there to point out help, the bulk of people that talked spoke out towards the plan, citing considerations over security and property values.
“The entire space and the group will probably be useless,” stated one girl. “All of the eating places, bars, accommodations, and companies will undergo as a result of lack of patrons.”
“These are choices which have been made about our neighborhood with none enter,” stated one other girl. “Everyone is aware of this can be a drawback and everybody desires to assist, nonetheless, that is being shoved down our throats.”
Mayor Johnston says the shelter will initially enable 60 households and 90 kids beneath the age of 5 to maneuver into momentary housing. Finally, the shelter will have the ability to maintain as much as 200 households.
Many within the viewers requested for a tough dedication from the mayor that the shelter would stay family-focused.
“This website is for households. Interval,” stated Johnston.