A reader recently commented on one of my articles that it seems like there are fewer panhandlers “flying signs” around Denver these days. I thought about it, and I concur that even in homeless hotel-heavy District 8, I’ve not seen many people waving their cardboard pleas lately either.
I wonder, is this the result of the mayor’s successful House1000 program to shelter people experiencing homelessness? Taking 1,000 people off the street has made a visible impact in terms of far fewer encampments in the city. But I wonder if it also has resulted in less panhandling. I know many people who live in my building for the formerly homeless, Fusion Studios, still fly signs even though they are housed.
Or I wonder if the migrants are taking over, much like they have with encampments. As singles and families from Venezuela time out of city-sponsored shelter, many have nowhere to go but the street. More than 100 will be released from hotel shelters next week alone. Their increasing presence is not only visible with encampments but also at intersections, squeegees in hand. The window-washing migrants have become the buzz around Denver. Many have cheered the migrants’ sense of hustle.