From bars and breweries to bridal shops and beauty salons, 69 Denver businesses are getting money to offset the negative consequences of nearby homeless encampments.
Why it matters: The unprecedented initiative highlights the magnitude of the city’s homelessness crisis despite a camping ban, the escalating tolls it’s taking on local businesses and the need for innovative solutions.
Catch up quick: Small businesses affected by encampments within two blocks of their property were eligible for a one-time grant of $7,500 or $15,000, depending on their annual gross revenues, if they could provide evidence of slumping sales and related safety issues.
Zoom in: City data provided to Axios Denver shows the majority of grants awarded this month went to businesses near the Five Points neighborhood, a longstanding hotspot for unhoused people due in part to nearby homeless shelters.
- Selected businesses include Great Divide Brewing , Frank’s Gentlemen’s Salon , The Lobby , Mile High Spirits and Mercury Cafe .
- Some business owners tell us that their grants will go toward cleaning up after encampments — including waste removal, power washing and fresh paint — while others plan to cover normal expenses like rent and wages.