Denver City Council approved a $6 million contract with Haven of Hope to manage food distribution and services for immigrants in the city’s work program. The contract, previously delayed due to questions, will serve the 865 people enrolled in the program. The contract will provide almost $7,000 per person for a year and cover food, shelter, and aid items until participants “graduate” within six months. Councilmember Shontel Lewis voted against the contract, advocating for a more unconditional approach like the Denver Basic Income Project, which has shown success in providing support. Councilmember Kevin Flynn also raised concerns about the implementation of Denver’s sidewalk fee, which has faced delays and restructuring. The fee, approved by voters, now stands at $150 for most residents, with additional costs for larger properties. The city’s infrastructure team clarified that they are not citing residents for sidewalk maintenance issues at this time and are prioritizing fixing reported problem areas. The approval of the contract and discussion on the sidewalk fee highlight ongoing efforts by the City Council to address the needs of immigrants and residents while ensuring efficient and equitable implementation of city policies and programs.
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Photo credit denvergazette.com
Denver City Council approves $6 million contract for immigrant assistance
