DENVER — Today, Governor Jared Polis, State Treasurer Dave Young, Rep. Iman Jodeh, Rep. Susan Lontine, local officials, and community service providers visited sites focused on reducing homelessness by increasing workforce opportunities and supportive services including mental and behavioral health care, to ensure more people quickly exit homelessness and thrive.
“We need to draw a clear path to recovery and work for Coloradans experiencing homelessness. Colorado’s excellent community partners who are providing keys to a safe home, opening doors to jobs, access to mental and behavioral health care, and meeting people where they are with the services they need,” said Governor Polis. “Our administration will continue to turn transformative state and federal dollars into real solutions that work with cities to reduce homelessness, improve public safety, and save people money.”
This morning, Governor Polis toured Sanderson Apartments, a permanent supportive housing community operated by the Mental Health Center of Denver. Sanderson residents who have experienced long lengths of homelessness and face complex barriers to housing stability are provided with wraparound services, supported by the physical building design which includes trauma-informed care and front desk support. There are no time limits on how long residents can stay at Sanderson.
The Polis administration continues to take bold steps in partnership with the state legislature to provide easy access to statewide resources that quickly and effectively get people experiencing homelessness housed and speed delivery of critical supportive services.
“Safe, stable housing is vital to well-being,” said Dr. Carl Clark, President & CEO of Mental Health Center of Denver. “Our Sanderson Apartments prove that supportive housing works by significantly decreasing police contacts (-34%), arrests (-40%) and emergency department visits (-40%), while increasing access to mental health treatment, basic needs, employment, community integration and medication. Through this innovative program, the people we serve regain dignity and purpose after years of chronic homelessness.”
Governor Polis toured Ready to Work-Aurora this afternoon, run by Remerg. The program provides adults experiencing homelessness with a holistic approach combining three elements - paid work in a Ready to Work social enterprise, dormitory housing at a Ready to Work House, and case management support. As Colorado continues to tackle Colorado’s housing costs while helping to house more Coloradans experiencing homelessness, programs like Ready to Work are a valuable resource on the path to stability.
"We were honored to host Governor Polis and Mayor Coffman today at our Ready To Work Aurora house and showcase our award-winning 3-legged stool model of paid employment, housing and case management services, as a way to end homelessness one person at a time. We are excited to expand our Work Works Model into the Tri-Cities area next year and are appreciative of their unwavering support," said Melissa Green, CEO of Ready to Work-Aurora.
Later this afternoon, Governor Polis visited Mile High United Way to discuss the 2-1-1 program, a free, multilingual, and confidential hotline. The 2-1-1 Colorado database holds information for more than 8,000 services across the state.
“Mile High United Way is proud to welcome Governor Polis to discuss the critical work of our Bridging the Gap program and our 211 Help Center,” said Christine Benero, President and CEO. “The past two years have created even greater challenges for young people coming out of the child welfare system and it will take a community united to provide the resources for safe and affordable housing and access to an education and a great job.”
