AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — A new report is reigniting debate over how to best address homelessness across Colorado, highlighting vastly different strategies from the cities of Aurora and Denver.
The Common Sense Institute, a conservative-leaning research organization, recently released findings that claim Denver’s “Housing First” initiative is spending roughly $69,000 per year per homeless individual, while the overall number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise.
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In response, Aurora leaders unveiled plans for a new facility grounded in a “Work First” model. Their upcoming Regional Navigation Campus will include over 200 temporary housing units, available only to individuals who are working or actively pursuing employment. The city says the approach reflects a form of “tough love,” aimed at long-term self-sufficiency.
“This is a very tough-love approach to helping people,” said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman. “The evidence is that the housing-first model is just not working.”…