Alternet posts a damning story on the crisis of homelessness among military veterans. What next? Shall we festoon yellow ribbons on homeless shelters and abandoned buildings in a display of “support the troops” patriotism?
Colorado Springs mayor Lionel Rivera issued a moratorium on homeless camp cleanups last week, saying he wants the city to explore the ethical and legal issues surrounding the practice, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.
A veterans group claims that a Colorado Springs organization has raided homeless camps, trashing VA paperwork, medication, photos, identification and even service medals belonging to homeless veterans.
According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, the Colorado Veterans Alliance filed suit in federal court this week, claiming that Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful violated the homeless veterans’ civil rights. KCSB focuses on litter clean up, but also works with police officers to identify homeless camps and ask the residents to leave before cleaning up. The organization has received $45,000 in city funds.
Denver’s social service providers beefed up for the Democratic National Convention to make sure that the city’s homeless were well cared for during the chaotic event. But those efforts may have been for naught. According to Greta Walker, spokeswoman with the Denver Rescue Mission, it was business as usual at the Lawrence Street shelter. Though the organization provided 300 beds over the typical 200, just 250 cots were occupied throughout the week.
Convention-goers in search of lodging at next week’s Democratic National Convention may inadvertently squeeze homeless people out of temporary motel rooms.
Homeless families in Denver often board in the city’s most iconic and dilapidated motels along Colfax Avenue, Broadway and Colorado Boulevard when the shelters are full. But with the DNC quickly approaching, some motels are already booked or have raised prices in anticipation of better-to-do guests. Denver’s homeless officials worry that some families will be left to stay on the streets.
How will does Colorado take care of its homeless? Tomorrow, a statewide count will work to find out.
The Colorado Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) will be working with various charities and governments to conduct a census, determining what…
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